There are numerous things you can do to begin ensuring your data and computer equipment are protected if a storm hits your company. If you do not have one already, you should meet with your key staff and develop a disaster recovery plan which should include all aspects of recovering from a storm. Here are some links to DR guides.

Guidelines For DR Plan
Disaster Recovery FAQ
Example Plans

Here is a list of things you should do to prepare:

DATA Backups

If you are using an offsite backup system like IONVault, contact test restoring data and ensuring all data is being backed up.

If you use a tape backup, test restoring data from the tapes and be sure to take a full backup offsite when closing down for the storm.

You do not need to backup your workstations unless your users are saving data to them. Alert all employees that any data on workstations should be backed up to the servers or to diskette or USB storage device. You can buy USB storage devices for under $20 at office depot to quickly copy data from a workstation.

Network Servers

If you host your own server in your company and you do not require them to stay on for email or web site services, we suggest you unplug them and move them to a safe place. If you are unsure if you host your own email or web site, contact our office for verifcation. If you do need to leave them on, make sure they are connected to battery backups or surge protectors.

PC Systems

When leaving prior to storm, instruct all employees to unplug all workstations and any computer equipment connected to an electrical outlet. Unplug any network cables connected to devices. If you have a critical workstation with company information, we recommend your remove it from any areas that could be flooded or have wind damage such as a window or external door.

Printers, Scanners & Copiers

Unplug all devices from the electrical outlet. Also unplug network cables or USB cables to these devices. If your area floods, place these devices off the floors and move them away from windows or external doors.

Email Communications

If you host your own email servers and you lose access to this service, your company may request a temporary email system at Camsoft. We can setup temporary email that can be accessed via a web portal. Cost for this service varies based on number of users required. For a more advanaced solution, you can also use sofware to replicate your email server to other locations. Contact Camsoft for more information. If your email server goes down and you are using our SPAM/VIRUS scanning, our system will store the email until your server comes back online.

Use of Generators

If you decide to use a generator on your computer system, make sure you turn the generator on first and then turn on the workstation or server.

What We Are Doing

Some of our services are hosted outside of our state and some are hosted in our Network Operations Center in Baton Rouge. Our office is located in the Baton Rouge Clerk of Court building on Coursey and is located inside our office that has no windows or external doors. If power fails, we will have a generator to power our servers and systems as we did during Katrina. If our Fiber connection to the Internet goes out, we will work with our ISP to bring that online as quick as possible.