Hurricane Season, Being Prepared, Data & Disaster Recovery Plan

Hurricane Season

“Hurricane” is a Native American word meaning “Evil Spirit of the Wind”.  

The Atlantic Ocean hurricane season officially started on June 1 and ends November 1 but most storms occur during peak hurricane season between August and October.

2017 Prediction: Above Average Activity

Hurricane season begins when the waters of the Atlantic become warmer.  The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) released its outlook on May 25th predicting a 45% chance of an above normal season. 35% chance of a normal season and only a 20% chance of a below normal season of activity. The NOAA’s above normal prediction means the east coast can expect to see 11-17 named storms.  

Be Prepared

Whether the predictions call for above normal or below normal activity, always be prepared and have a plan. People living on the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico coasts or Caribbean should have a disaster plan laid out.  Benjamin Friedman, acting administrator of the NOAA, said “the most dangerous part is not the wind and the rain, it’s the flooding and the storm surge that occurs afterward.  We need to be prepared for all of that”.  

Think ahead and plan for:

• Evacuation Plan
• ​Communications Plan
• Charging Cellphones
• Cash On Hand (Credit Cards Won’t Work With Power Outages)
• Food
• First Aid
• Supplies
• Checking on neighbors and loved ones

 
Your Agency’s Data & Disaster Recover Plan

Most insurance agencies use data files throughout the workday.  Data backup and recovery should be an integral part of the business plan and information technology disaster recovery plan.  Your agency should conduct frequent data and security backups if you use on site files.  Backups like cartridges, tapes and large capacity USB drives.  Backups and the security of off-site storage should be in the agency’s business plan. Most vendors like agency management system software companies offer data backup services including storage in the “cloud”.

Have recovery strategies for:

• Hardware (networks, servers, desktop and laptop computers, wireless devices)
• Connectivity to service provider (fiber, cable, wireless)
• Computer room (secure computer room with climate control, conditioned and backup power supply)
• Software applications (email, data interchange, office productivity, etc.)
• Data and restoration

 
Assuming your data is backed up offsite or in the “cloud”, the data can be accessed at an alternate site and your business can continue operating.  

Your agency should develop a disaster recovery plan taking into account the recovery strategies listed above.  The plan should ensure all your agency’s critical information is protected and backed up.