Disaster Recovery Considerations for Computers
By Bill Riddick
Hopefully, your law firm has a comprehensive plan in place to deal with recovery from a disaster. Unfortunately, the reality is that few law firms, small businesses, etc. have spent the necessary time and money to develop an adequate disaster recovery plan.
If you have suffered damage to your computer equipment (from lightning, water damage, power surges, fire, etc.), there are several fundamental approaches to attack the problem. You must analyze where you stand relative to the following issues and respond accordingly:
1. Can you get to your Data?
Can you get to the data on the hard drives of your PCs and/or File Server? If not, hopefully you have backup tapes of your data safety stored offsite that can be used to restore your data files. If you do not, you should ask a computer support company to come in and determine if anything can be done.
Note that while it might appear that you have lost your data, it is possible that you have other problems with your PCs or server and the data might actually be retrievable. There are also companies where hard drives can be shipped who specialize in retrieving apparently lost data from hard drives.
2. Can your computer hardware be repaired, or must it be replaced?
The answer to this question is often very obvious. If you are not sure, please have a computer service company evaluate the equipment. Computer specialists can quickly determine whether the equipment can be cost effectively repaired. When considering repairs, be sure to consider the age of the PC hardware. Sometimes, a repair cost as little as $200 may not be a prudent investment. For a few hundred more dollars, you may be able to replace damaged PCs with the most current technologies.
Be sure to have the computer specialist test and evaluate all components of your network. Obviously, file servers, PCs, and printers, need to be inspected and tested. Also, network cabling could have been damaged and should be tested. Electrical sources and wiring should be tested for safety and stability. Network equipment (hubs, routers, etc.) and telephone equipment should also be fully tested.
3. If equipment cannot be recovered, what is best the best replacement strategy?
The quickest means to get your computer network running again is to secure the help of a computer dealer and service company. There are typically a wide variety of computer hardware and software components necessary to automate your office. A qualified computer consultant can help you quickly investigate options and select the most cost-effective means to regain your network. Many computer dealers can also offer flexible financing or lease options for new equipment. Furthermore, they sometimes are able to provide "loaner equipment" to get you back on-line immediately while your determine the long-term recovery plan.
