Why Disaster Recovery Plans Are Critical For Your Business

On July 19, 2024, a glitch in CrowdStrike software caused a worldwide IT outage affecting nearly 9 million Windows computers, disrupting airlines, hospitals, banks, and businesses across the globe. Thousands of flights were cancelled, medical procedures postponed, and countless workdays disrupted. The outage was a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of our digital world, our dependence on technology, and the potential fallout when things go wrong.

The CrowdStrike Incident: A Wake-Up Call

The outage was caused by a faulty update to CrowdStrike's Falcon Sensor software for Windows devices. While CrowdStrike quickly identified and resolved the issue, the ripple effects were felt for days. This incident serves as a wake-up call for businesses of all sizes: no one is immune to the potential chaos of an unexpected IT outage. This outage is what's known as a supply chain disruption.

The Importance of Incident Response and Disaster Recovery

This incident underscores the critical importance of having a robust incident response plan (IRP) and a comprehensive backup and disaster recovery (BDR) plan. An IRP outlines the steps your organization will take in the event of a cyberattack or IT outage, helping you to minimize damage, protect your data, and get back to business as quickly as possible. A BDR plan ensures that you have a reliable backup of your critical data and systems, enabling you to recover from a disaster and resume operations with minimal disruption.

Quarterly Roundtable Exercises: Practice Makes Perfect

Having a plan on paper is one thing, but being able to execute it effectively in the heat of the moment is another. This is where quarterly roundtable exercises come in. By simulating various disaster scenarios, you can test your IRP and BDR plans, identify weaknesses, and ensure that your team is prepared to respond effectively in a real crisis.

Cyber Security Hawaii: Your Partner in Cybersecurity, IT services, and FTC Safeguards Compliance

We know that many business owners understand the importance of these measures but haven't prioritized them, thinking, "It will never happen to us." However, as the CrowdStrike incident demonstrated, it can happen to anyone. That's why we at Cyber Security Hawaii are here to help.

We are the only FTC Safeguards-compliant IT services company in Hawaii, specializing in serving businesses that are required to adhere to these regulations. We understand the unique challenges you face and can provide you with the expertise and solutions you need to protect your business from cyber threats. We specialize in serving businesses in the CAR FIRE industries (Car Dealerships, Financial, Insurance and Real Estate)

Free 15-Minute Cybersecurity Consultation

Most businesses don't realize the importance of Cybersecurity and IT services until after they have been attacked. Don't wait until it's too late. Take proactive steps to protect your business today. Cyber Security Hawaii is offering a free 15-minute cybersecurity consultation to Hawaii businesses. During this consultation, we'll discuss your specific needs and how we can help you develop and implement a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that aligns with FTC Safeguards requirements and includes plans to deal with disasters such as the Crowdstrike incident.

To schedule your free consultation, please visit our website at https://strategy.cybersecurehawaii.info.

The CrowdStrike incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of being prepared for the unexpected. With the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber threats and supply chain outages, it's more important than ever for businesses to have robust cybersecurity measures in place and be prepared for outages in the future.

Cyber Security Hawaii is here to help you navigate the complex world of cybersecurity and ensure that your business is protected and prepared. Don't let another incident catch you off guard. Take action now and safeguard your business for the future.