Managed services providers (MSPs) with data backup and disaster recovery (BDR) customers in hurricane prone areas have been more than likely preparing customers for the worst — if not, we’ve got them covered.

Recovery and continuity provider Quorum provided MSPmentor with three ways MSPs can help prepare small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) for hurricanes — or any disaster, natural or not:

Select a hybrid disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS) solution to ensure maximum uptime

No surprise here. Quorum has hybrid DRaaS solution called Quorum Hybrid Cloud Disaster Recovery, so it would make sense for them to suggest this type of solution to MSPs. Quorum said hybrid DRaaS provides an alternative to traditional and other backup solutions because it provides updated virtual clones of all protected servers. The Quorum solution would make recovery of data, applications, and servers available in minutes, not days, while also providing automatic and on-demand.

Test, test, test.

Quorum noted that a recent survey revealed that only 28 percent of small to mid-sized businesses test regularly — a potential disaster in itself, costing businesses money if anything were to happen.

The company has suggested weekly testing in the past to take any changes into consideration, including added storage, new security patches, modified, or removed applications. Backup corruption and human error can also be unveiled through weekly testing.

Assemble a natural disaster survival kit

Pack what you need to survive. Quorum said your survival kit should include first-aid supplies, a water bottle with a built-in filter, and a Mylar emergency blanket. Keep a few on hand in various locations around the office. Don’t limit your business to one survival kit.