Imagine this, it is a typical Tuesday morning, and you step into your office only to discover that a sudden power outage has left your workspace in complete darkness. Computers are offline, and the usual hum of the office activity is replaced by an eerie silence. What’s your plan?
Or envision yourself working from home, in the midst of a critical client meeting when a cyber attack cripples your IT infrastructure, bringing all of your digital operations to a standstill. Are you equipped to handle the situation?
Disruptions manifest in various forms so we could give you endless scenarios, but the takeaway point is that people need access to the tools and systems to continue operations and minimise downtime – and having a designated alternative workplace is the answer.
The importance of a sound work area recovery plan cannot be understated, the ability to swiftly recover and resume work in the event of disruptions is not just best practice, it’s a necessity.
Disruptions happen: Exploring your options
We understand the critical role work area recovery plays in maintaining business continuity, and in this guide, we explore the key considerations and options that can ensure the seamless operation of your organisation during challenging times.
1. Cold site
A cold site is essentially a blank slate, it provides the necessary space and building infrastructure but lacks the pre-installed equipment. It is a more cost-effective solution, but it is essential to consider setup and equipment costs, which can be hefty, as well as the delayed recovery time.,
2. Warm site
A warm site is a recovery facility that has some of the necessary infrastructure in place, such as office space, power, and networking, but does not have all the equipment pre-installed.
3. Hot site
A fully equipped, ready to use facility that mirrors the primary workspace. It often includes IT infrastructure, data storage and office space. This option allows for rapid recovery and minimal downtime.
4. Mobile recovery
A dynamic solution where solution providers bring essential equipment to your location swiftly. Mobile recovery units are equipped with necessary IT infrastructure and can be deployed to any location. This option provides flexibility and can be a good option for organisations with varying recovery needs, however it may not be suitable for long-term recovery needs.
5. Remote working
This is where a company allows employees to work from home for a short period of time. It requires robust communication and collaboration tools, as well as secure remote access infrastructure.
There are various factors a business needs to take into consideration when considering remote working, including regulatory compliance, data security and privacy, connectivity and infrastructure and other risks such as increased threat of security breaches etc.
6. Finding a location at the time of the incident:
Relying on local real estate availability for last-minute location planning may seem convenient, but it poses significant challenges during unexpected disruptions. This approach overlooks the need for comprehensive location considerations beyond physical space. It lacks a test site, hindering plan validation and team training. Underestimating the time needed for real estate deals can lead to operational downtime, particularly for organisations with swift processes. Relying on a very “local” site, increases the concentration risks for power outages, extreme weather issues etc.
How businesses are using work area recovery spaces
We’ve been delivering industry-leading work area recovery seats in the UK for more than 20 years and provide all the IT, office, and environmental facilities that your workforce needs if they are displaced from their usual working environments. Our ‘home from home’ services are ready when you arrive, with experienced staff on hand to ensure everything runs according to your tried and tested plans.
Preparing for unexpected disruptions through a robust work area recovery plan is imperative in today’s dynamic commercial environment. Whether it’s a sudden power outage or a cyber attack, having designated alternative workplaces ensures minimal downtime and the continuation of critical business processes. By exploring and implementing suitable recovery options, businesses can effectively maintain continuity and resilience in the face of adversity.
Take a look at how some of our customers are utilising our work area recovery services:
1. Multinational Banking and Financial Services Company
“With the continual focus from local regulators in the financial sector, business continuity services and planning are more critical than ever before.
The need for the bank to be able to “bend but not break” has never been so important and can mean the difference between survival and total shutdown of key elements of the business.
Daisy provides us with a dedicated suite and a sense of assurance to our company’s employees, stakeholders and customers knowing we are prepared for any unexpected circumstance.
In an event where our primary office is inaccessible, the need for key staff to have access to high trade floor spec PCs, multiple monitors and be able to continually work physically together is paramount to a successful trade floor environment.
These key elements are obviously not available with the working from home resiliency solution.
Daisy provides our staff with a dedicated private suite, the ability to book meeting rooms, clean and modern breakout and meal areas, easy car parking and public transport access.”
– Head of Technology Resilience and BCP at a Multinational Banking and Financial Services Company
2. Leading Global Bank
“We require work area recovery to support critical functions in the event of our primary office being impacted or unavailable. The facility is tested on a regular basis and stress tested annually to ensure it meets requirements and any key issues are identified and remediated prior to a full invocation.”
– Operational Resilience Analyst with a Leading Global Bank