Business Interrupted: The Unexpected Disaster Your IT Provider Should Be Planning For

Backups Won't Save the Shift—Continuity Will

Let's be honest—disasters never clock in on schedule.

One minute, your production line's humming. The next? A power cut, cyberattack or failed server has brought it all to a grinding halt. And if you think having a backup alone is your safety net, I've got bad news: a backup doesn't keep the factory running. Not when your CAD files are locked, your team can't clock in remotely, or your systems can't talk to each other.

Here in Staffordshire, where uptime is the heartbeat of production, your IT setup needs to do more than store data—it needs to keep you operational.

Why Backups Are Just the Beginning

Don't get me wrong—backups are essential. But they're like having a spare tyre: no good if you don't know how to fit it—or worse, if it's flat when you need it.

What manufacturers really need is business continuity. That's your action plan when the unexpected strikes. It's not about panic—it's about being ready to recover before you've even hit the floor.

The Real Difference: Backup vs Continuity

Here's where too many firms fall short:

• Backups restore files.

• Continuity keeps your business running.

A solid continuity plan answers the questions no one wants to ask, like:

• What's our recovery time after ransomware?

• Can we keep working if the shop floor floods?

• Who kicks off the recovery process—and do they know what to do?

And crucially, it includes:

• Off-site, encrypted backups that can't be tampered with

• Recovery timelines matched to your shift schedules

• Remote work support (for when the shop's out of action)

• Failovers that keep your MES or ERP ticking

• Routine disaster testing so you're not relying on hope

If your current IT partner stumbles when asked about any of this, that's not continuity—that's crossed fingers.

It's Not "If", It's "When"

Disasters aren't just for the headlines—they're happening to businesses just like yours, every week:

• Ransomware that shuts down machine controllers overnight.

• Storms knocking out power and wiping local servers.

• Fires or floods that leave engineers locked out of critical data.

I've seen it first-hand in workshops and shop floors around Cannock and beyond. Good folks, doing their best—brought to their knees by systems that weren't built to bounce back.

Ask These Questions Now, Not Later

Pull your IT provider aside and ask them:

• "If we're hit by ransomware, how fast are we back online?"

• "Are our backups isolated, tested, and compliant with ISO 27001?"

• "If a flood hits the shop, how do we keep serving customers?"

• "Can our team access CAD files securely off-site if needed?"

If they flinch, fumble, or fob you off—it's time to talk to someone who understands what production-critical really means.

You Can't Prevent Every Disaster—But You Can Prevent Downtime

You've kept your operation running through lean times, tight deadlines, and surprise audits. Don't let a tech failure undo all that.

The right IT partner doesn't just fix what's broken—they make sure you don't stop in the first place.

If you're not 100% confident your business could weather a cyberstorm or sudden outage, now's the time to talk. Let's make sure your legacy isn't defined by downtime—but by how well you prepared for the unexpected.

Want to know where you really stand?
Book your free continuity review—no jargon, no pressure, just clear answers. Call us on 01543 548101 or click here to schedule a 15-minute call.