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How to Build a Disaster Recovery Plan

A DR plan is a documented procedure for restoring IT systems after a disaster: hardware failure, cyber attack, fire, flood, or extended outage. It includes recovery time objectives, recovery point objectives, and step-by-step procedures.

How is DR different from backup?

Backup protects the data. DR is the plan to get the business running again. You need both. Backups without DR are data nobody can use.

How often should we test DR?

At least once a year for major scenarios. North Star tests restores quarterly and runs a full DR drill annually for clients with formal plans.

How much does a DR plan cost?

Building a basic DR plan for a small business runs 2,000 to 8,000 dollars one time, plus ongoing testing. Larger or regulated organizations spend more.

Can Northstar IT build a DR plan for us?

Yes. North Star builds, tests, and maintains disaster recovery plans for Canadian SMBs.

FAQ

Quick answers.

What is a disaster recovery plan?

A DR plan is a documented procedure for restoring IT systems after a disaster: hardware failure, cyber attack, fire, flood, or extended outage. It includes recovery time objectives, recovery point objectives, and step-by-step procedures.

How is DR different from backup?

Backup protects the data. DR is the plan to get the business running again. You need both. Backups without DR are data nobody can use.

How often should we test DR?

At least once a year for major scenarios. North Star tests restores quarterly and runs a full DR drill annually for clients with formal plans.

How much does a DR plan cost?

Building a basic DR plan for a small business runs 2,000 to 8,000 dollars one time, plus ongoing testing. Larger or regulated organizations spend more.

Can Northstar IT build a DR plan for us?

Yes. North Star builds, tests, and maintains disaster recovery plans for Canadian SMBs.

Have a specific situation in mind?

Book a free 30-minute scoping call with a Northstar IT engineer. We will walk through your environment, your questions, and what good looks like for your team.

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