Even though the recent CrowdStrike IT outage primarily impacted large corporations and organizations, small businesses should not ignore its implications. Understanding the broader impacts of such incidents can provide valuable lessons that help small businesses improve their own IT resilience and preparedness. Here’s why small businesses should care about the CrowdStrike IT outage and what they can learn from it.
Understanding the Broader Impact
The CrowdStrike IT outage disrupted a wide range of services, from airlines and hospitals to banks and retail stores. While small businesses might not rely on the same complex IT infrastructure, they are still part of an interconnected digital ecosystem. This outage matters to small business because of the interconnectedness of digital systems today. Many small businesses use services and software that are part of a larger digital network. Making sure you understand how a failure in one part of this network can effect your business can allow you to determine your own vulnerabilities and minimize the effects of any future outages.
Disruptions in larger businesses can affect your supply chain, leading to delays and shortages that other impacts. Small businesses owners should use this outage as a wake-up call. It was a huge reminder that no business is immune to IT failures. and it highlighted the importance of being prepared for unexpected disruptions.
Make Sure Your Small Business Has a Quality IT Disaster Recovery Plan
Small businesses should have a clear, well-documented plan for responding to IT failures. This includes steps for data backup/recovery, communication with customers, and manual workarounds. For a small business this plan need to be simple and something that can easily be understood given the uncertainty of the technical backgrounds of those who will need to carry out the plan.
Once the plan has been prepared and finalized it’s important that regular tests are performed to ensure the disaster recovery plan is effective and the need for updates can be identified and your business environment changes.
Invest in Backup Systems and Test Regularly
Imagine losing all your crucial business data in an instant—scary, right? That’s why having a solid backup plan is non-negotiable for any small business. One of the cornerstones of this plan should be regular system backups.
By consistently backing up your data to both physical and cloud-based storage, you’re ensuring that after an emergency, you can get your business up and running with minimal impact. If your budget doesn’t allow for cloud storage, no worries, you can use removable hard drives with minimal effort. Make sure you keep a few of them on hand, and rotate them regularly. This way, you’ll always have a recent backup safely stored offsite, ready to swoop in and save the day when needed.
Build in Redundant Systems
I’m dating myself a little with this one, but it is a good example of why redundancy is important. A while back I was working with a company who received all of its orders by fax. The owner boasted that the company lived or died by that fax machine. I then asked him what would happen if the fax machine broke? Soon the whole process was moved to an electronic fax service where incoming faxes were sent to a sales department email address (the old fax machine was kept as a backup in case the service ever went down).
Not every system is critical and needs redundancy. However, each system/process should be identified and labeled to determine which are mission critical. Options can then be put in place to deal with any outages. Think of redundancy as a safety net for your business. You don’t need to overcomplicate things or break the bank to ensure your operations run smoothly, even when things go wrong.
Imagine your primary internet connection went down. Without a backup, your business could grind to a halt. But by simply having a mobile hotspot (or even a cell phone hotspot) on standby, you ensure that your internet access remains uninterrupted. This simple and effective redundancy option can keep your business online and operational, minimizing downtime and maintaining productivity.
Ensure Employees Are Properly Trained
Training might seem like a hassle for small businesses, especially when every minute counts toward productivity and revenue. However, investing in employee training is crucial to ensure your company can weather any emergency situation.
The good news? Training doesn’t have to be a time-consuming or complicated process. Here’s how you can make it quick, easy, and effective:
- Create Simple, Accessible Checklists: Develop straightforward checklists that outline the steps to take in various emergency scenarios. Ensure these checklists are easily accessible to all employees, whether digitally or in print.
- Incorporate Training into Staff Meetings: Turn the beginning or end of regular staff meetings into mini-training sessions. A quick Q&A segment can help reinforce procedures and ensure everyone knows where to find the checklists, resources, tools and how to use them.
- Leverage Online Training Tools: Utilize online platforms to create short training videos or modules that employees can complete at their own pace. This flexibility allows them to learn without disrupting their work schedules significantly. Another option is to create private YouTube channels and populate them with emergency procedures that your employees can access in an emergency via cell phone or laptop.
- Encourage Continuous Learning: Make training an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. Regular refreshers and updates keep the information current and top of mind for your team.
By making training straightforward and integrating it into your regular business activities, you ensure your employees are always prepared. This readiness not only enhances your company’s resilience but also gives your team the confidence to handle emergencies effectively, keeping your business running smoothly no matter what challenges arise.
Cross-Train Employees for Added Redundancy
Just as you build redundancy into your systems, you should also create redundancy within your team. Cross-training employees ensures that your emergency preparedness plan can be executed smoothly, no matter who is available.
When team members are skilled in multiple roles, your business becomes more flexible and resilient. This way, if one person is unavailable, another can step in seamlessly, keeping operations running smoothly during any situation. By investing in cross-training, you create a versatile team that can adapt to challenges and maintain continuity, reinforcing your overall emergency preparedness strategy.
ross-training employees to handle IT responsibilities can be particularly challenging for small businesses. IT tasks often require specialized knowledge and skills, making it difficult to ensure that every employee is capable of stepping into these roles. However, small businesses can tackle this issue effectively by:
- Identify Core IT Tasks: Focus on training employees in essential IT tasks that are most critical to your operations. This might include basic troubleshooting, network management, and data backup procedures.
- Leverage Online Training Resources: Utilize online courses, tutorials, and webinars to provide employees with the necessary IT training. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and LinkedIn Learning offer courses on a wide range of IT topics that can be accessed at any time.
- Create Easy to Follow IT Documentation: Develop clear and comprehensive documentation for critical IT procedures. This documentation can serve as a reference guide for employees who may need to step into an IT role temporarily.
- Simplify IT Systems: Use user-friendly IT solutions and tools that require minimal training. For example, cloud-based services often offer intuitive interfaces and automated features that make them easier for non-technical staff to manage.
- Encourage Continuous Learning: Foster a culture of continuous learning where employees are encouraged to develop new skills, including IT competencies. This approach not only strengthens your disaster planning but also opens the door to new ideas that can make your business more efficient and profitable. By investing in your team’s growth, you create a dynamic and adaptable workforce that can drive innovation and ensure your business thrives, even in the face of challenges.
By addressing these challenges head-on, small businesses can effectively cross-train employees in IT responsibilities, ensuring that their emergency preparedness plan can be executed smoothly, regardless of who is available. This approach not only enhances business resilience but also empowers employees with valuable skills, contributing to overall organizational growth and stability.
Build Relationships with IT Support:
Leverage your existing relationship with an IT vendor to gain insights into disaster-proofing your business. IT vendors might hesitate to discuss different tools for fear of appearing to upsell unnecessary services. However, initiating this conversation can ease those concerns and open a dialogue. By jumpstarting the discussion, you may discover new insights or alternative solutions to enhance your business resilience. Technology evolves rapidly, and maintaining regular communication with your IT vendor keeps your business top of mind. This way, they can inform you of new technologies that could benefit your operations.
Leverage Community Resources
Small business owners often pride themselves on their independence and self-reliance. However, no man is an island. Leveraging community resources can provide valuable support and guidance that can make a significant difference in your business’s resilience and growth. Here are some ways to tap into these resources:
- Business Associations: Join local business associations or chambers of commerce. These organizations offer networking opportunities, training sessions, and resources tailored to small businesses.
- Peer Networking: Connect with other small business owners in your area. Sharing knowledge and experiences can help you learn about effective strategies and solutions that others have successfully implemented.
- Workshops and Seminars: Attend workshops and seminars focused on business continuity, IT management, and disaster recovery. These events are often hosted by local universities, business incubators, or industry groups.
- Online Forums and Communities: Join online forums and communities related to small business management and IT. Platforms like Reddit, LinkedIn, and specialized business forums can be great places to ask questions, share tips, and stay updated on industry trends.
- Government Resources: Utilize resources provided by government agencies, such as the Small Business Administration (SBA). They offer a wealth of information on disaster preparedness, funding options, and training programs.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Look for non-profit organizations that support small businesses. These organizations often provide grants, training, and other resources to help small businesses thrive.
By leveraging these community resources, you can gain new perspectives, access valuable information, and build a supportive network that can help your business navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Remember, collaboration and community support can be powerful tools for your business’s success.
Conclusion
The CrowdStrike IT outage serves as a powerful reminder of the potential impact of IT failures on businesses of all sizes. For small businesses, it highlights the importance of being proactive in IT preparedness. By diversifying IT resources, investing in backups, developing robust recovery plans, ensuring strong cybersecurity measures, and training employees, small businesses can build resilience against IT disruptions. Learning from larger incidents can help small businesses protect themselves, ensuring continuity and stability in an increasingly digital world.