Businesses nowadays rely heavily on technology. From cloud systems and e-commerce platforms to communication tools and connected devices, nearly every operation depends on IT.

Yet many small and medium-sized businesses treat IT disaster recovery as a technical afterthought. A backup folder on a server or a cloud storage plan tucked away and forgotten. 

The reality is that disaster recovery isn’t just an IT responsibility. It’s a business strategy, about how quickly operations can resume after any disruption - whether that’s a cyberattack, hardware failure, or human error. Without a plan, downtime can translate into lost revenue, damaged reputation, and frustrated customers. 

Understanding disaster recovery as part of a broader risk management framework is essential for ensuring your business can withstand unexpected events. 

The High Cost of Downtime

The financial implications of IT downtime are significant. Studies show that for large organizations, downtime can cost up to $9,000 per minute. For SMEs, even a short disruption can have serious consequences. 

Real-world example: 

• Qantas (2025): A cyberattack exposed the personal data of up to 6 million customers via a third-party service platform, highlighting that even large, well-resourced organizations can experience data breaches if they don’t fully manage where their data is stored and who has access.  

  This case illustrates that disaster recovery planning is essential for every business, regardless of size or budget. 

Beyond Backups: What Disaster Recovery Really Means

Many businesses equate disaster recovery with file backups. While important, backups are just one piece of the puzzle. True disaster recovery answers three key questions: 

1. Which systems are essential for keeping the business running? 
2. How quickly must these systems be restored to avoid major disruption? 
3. Who is responsible for coordinating recovery during a crisis? 

By prioritizing critical systems, businesses can ensure rapid recovery and minimise operational and financial impact. 

Cybersecurity and Disaster Recovery

Cyberattacks are a growing risk for all businesses. The Australian Signals Directorate reports that small business cyber-crimes rose by 8% in 2023–24, with incidents costing an average of $49,600 each. 

Disaster recovery planning integrates cybersecurity measures alongside system redundancy. This includes: 

• Clear incident reporting protocols 
• Defined recovery procedures 
• Staff awareness and training 

It’s about creating confidence and preparedness, not fear. 

Preparing for High-Risk Periods

 The end-of-year period presents unique challenges: reduced staffing, increased workload, and heightened risk of disruption. Disaster recovery planning during these times ensures businesses can maintain operations smoothly. Key steps include:

• Conducting a pre-holiday IT audit 
• Testing backups and recovery systems 
• Ensuring staff understand their roles in a disruption 

These proactive measures protect revenue, client trust, and operational continuity. 

Turning Disaster Recovery into a Strategic Advantage 

Disaster recovery should be framed as a strategic enabler, not a checkbox. Benefits include: 

• Reducing downtime and revenue loss 
• Protecting customer trust and reputation 
• Providing clarity for staff during emergencies 
• Supporting broader IT and business growth strategies 

Even organisations with extensive resources can suffer disruptions, as the Qantas case illustrates. A robust plan ensures your business can recover efficiently and confidently. 

Take the test! Test your IT Disaster Recovery Plan
in our Business Technology Scorecard below

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Next Steps for Your Business 

If your business lacks a disaster recovery plan or if your existing plan hasn’t been updated recently: 

1. Assess critical systems and potential vulnerabilities

Take our Business Technology Scorecard

2. Develop a comprehensive, tailored disaster recovery plan

Don't have plan? Talk to one of our experts about the right recovery plan for you. There's no 'one-size-fits-all' plan when it comes to protecting what matters most.

3. Regularly review and update your plan to adapt to evolving risks 

Not quite sure when was the last time you reviewed your IT systems? Read about the risks of having lean IT in our article Lean IT = Leaky Systems.

At ZaheZone, we help businesses develop practical disaster recovery strategies that reduce risk, safeguard operations, and build resilience. 

Ready to see how resilient your business is? Take our Business Technology Scorecard or contact us for a pre-holiday disaster recovery audit.

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Planning today means confidence tomorrow. 

References 

1. National Insurance Brokers Association. (2024, August 19). Small businesses at increased risk of cyber attacks, new report highlights. NIBA. https://www.niba.com.au/news/small-businesses-increased-risk-cyber-attacks-new-report-highlights 
2. The Guardian. (2025, July 2). Qantas confirms cyber attack exposes records of up to 6 million customers. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/02/qantas-confirms-cyber-attack-exposes-records-of-up-to-6-million-customers