25 Mar
In Bermuda, hurricane preparedness is a way of life. We board up our windows, stock up on supplies, and secure our homes. But is your business just as prepared? The resilience of your technology—your data, your communications, your ability to operate remotely—is what will determine how quickly you can get back to business after a major storm.
This 10-step checklist is designed specifically for Bermuda businesses to ensure your technology infrastructure is as resilient as our island community.
Before the Storm: Your Preparedness Checklist
1. Verify Your Cloud Backups. This is the single most important step. Don’t just assume your backups are working—test them. Attempt a data restore to ensure the files are uncorrupted and accessible.
2. Shift to Cloud-Based Operations. If your business still relies on an on-site server, its data is vulnerable. Migrating key operations to cloud-based platforms like Microsoft 365 ensures accessibility from anywhere, even if your office is inaccessible.
3. Implement a Remote Work Plan. Can your team work effectively from home if they can’t get to the office? Ensure every employee has a laptop, secure access to your company network, and the necessary software to perform their duties remotely. Test this capability before a storm is on the horizon.
4. Secure Your Physical Hardware. Unplug all non-essential electronics. If possible, move critical hardware like servers or network switches away from windows and off the floor to protect them from potential water damage.
5. Update Your Emergency Contact List. Maintain a cloud-accessible list of all employee and key vendor contact information, including mobile numbers.
During the Storm: Communication is Key
6. Establish a Communication Channel. Designate a primary method for company-wide updates, such as a WhatsApp group or Signal chat. Ensure everyone knows where to look for official information regarding business operations.
7. Preserve Battery Life. Advise your team to keep mobile phones and laptops fully charged. Use portable battery packs for extra power during outages.
After the Storm: Recovery and Assessment
8. Assess Your Office Technology Safely. Do not power on any equipment that may have been exposed to water or a power surge. Contact your IT provider to conduct a professional assessment first.
9. Test Your Internet Connectivity. Once power is restored, check your primary internet connection. If it is down, use your pre-planned backup, such as a cellular hotspot, to get critical systems back online.
10. Review and Refine Your Plan. After every storm, conduct a post-mortem. What worked well? What didn’t? Use these lessons to refine your strategy for the next event.
The SohoWizz Question
If a Category 4 hurricane was forecast to hit Bermuda next week, would you feel confident or anxious about your business’s ability to operate through and after the storm? Don’t wait for the storm warning to find out.
