Unexpected disruptions can impact any organisation at any time. Whether it is a cyber attack, hardware failure, a natural disaster or human error, the effects can be serious and wide-ranging. Interruptions can lead to productivity loss, delays in customer service, missed revenue, or in severe cases, safety risks, legal consequences, and long-term reputational damage.

In light of recent high-profile cyber attacks affecting organisations such as M&S, Adidas and the Co-op, planning for disruptions is more important than ever.

To protect against these challenges, businesses need more than quick fixes. They need well-designed, regularly tested plans that minimise impact and ensure a smooth return to normal operations as quickly as possible.

This article outlines what Disaster Recovery is, what Business Continuity involves, and why both are essential for organisations that want to build resilience and continue delivering services when it matters most.

 

What is Disaster Recovery?

Disaster Recovery (DR) focuses on restoring the technology required to run the business. When digital systems go offline, operations can quickly halt.

For example, if a ransomware attack encrypts company files, DR procedures guide how systems are isolated, backups accessed, and data recovered without spreading the threat further. If a server fails unexpectedly, the plan ensures replacement systems are activated fast enough to maintain continuity.

A strong DR plan ensures systems and data are restored swiftly, preventing lengthy downtime or permanent data loss. It should include backup strategies, failover solutions, secure storage, defined recovery times aligned with business needs, and clear responsibilities for the IT team.

 

What is Business Continuity?

Business Continuity (BC) looks beyond technology. It focuses on how the organisation continues operating when normal working conditions are disrupted.

If a workplace is inaccessible due to fire or flood, there should be plans for remote work or alternative sites. If a key supplier cannot deliver, backup partners should be ready to avoid delays.

A comprehensive BC plan identifies critical processes, their dependencies, and ensures communication channels keep employees, customers, and partners informed while operations continue behind the scenes. BC protects the organisation’s ability to serve customers, support staff, and meet commitments even in challenging circumstances.

 

What is the difference between Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity?

• • Business Continuity: keeps the organisation operating during disruption

• • Disaster Recovery: restores systems and data after disruption

Business Continuity ensures essential services continue despite system issues. Disaster Recovery ensures systems are restored as quickly as possible.

They are complementary. Without BC, customer service can break down before technical issues are resolved. Without DR, the business may struggle to resume normal operations if critical data is lost. Together, they reduce the overall impact of disruptions.

 

What should be planned first – Disaster Recovery or Business Continuity?

BC usually comes first. It identifies the processes that must remain operational during short-term disruption. DR planning then ensures the systems supporting these key functions are restored in the correct order.

Planning BC first ensures technology investment supports real business needs rather than assumptions, avoiding misalignment such as restoring systems that teams cannot use. This business-first approach leads to faster, more coordinated recovery and clearer decision-making during crises.

 

What are the 5 key points to consider when creating a DR/BC plan?

1. Establish Claear Roles,  Responsibilities, and Communication Channel 

Identify critical functions, dependencies, and downtime consequences. Set Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) to define how quickly systems must be restored and acceptable data loss.

2. Conduct a Comprehensive Business Impact Analysis (BIA) 

Define leadership roles, response teams, and decision-making authority. Include communication procedures for notifying staff, stakeholders, partners, and customers during incidents.

3. Create a Robust Technology and Data Recovery Strategy

Outline backup policies, offsite or cloud replication, failover infrastructure, and step-by-step procedures for recovering each critical service, ensuring alignment with RTOs and RPOs.

4. Plan for Accessibility, Location, and Operational Continuity

Account for alternative work locations, remote work, access to resources, and logistical needs like power, connectivity, and equipment. Operational continuity extends beyond servers.

5. Test, Train, and Continuously Improve

Regular testing ensures people know their roles and technology responds as expected. Testing can include:

• • Tabletop exercises

• • Technical drills

• • Full simulations

Testing also keeps plans updated as staff, systems, and customer expectations evolve, ensuring plans remain effective and actionable.

 

Final thoughts

Disruptions are inevitable. Resilient organisations prepare effectively. By combining BC and DR, businesses reduce downtime, protect revenue, maintain customer trust, and resume operations smoothly.

These strategies protect more than technology; they safeguard the entire business, allowing your organisation to adapt, respond, and recover without losing momentum.

At One Thirty West, we help businesses strengthen resilience through practical planning, secure IT solutions, and regular testing of BC and DR strategies.

Get in touch to find out how we can support your organisation to stay ready for the unexpected today and in the future.