Ensuring Business Continuity to Protect Data Assets Many companies, especially those related to information technology, view data as a preeminent asset. Some assets, such as physical property and equipment, are more obvious, but less obvious ones can have greater value, define an organization's image and success, and provide a competitive advantage. Information is considered an asset, and collecting, maintaining, and updating this asset is critical to an organization's short- and long-term success. Having accurate, reliable and up-to-date information is often essential in the daily operations of a company. For example, many companies directly related to the financial sector depend on accurate and up-to-date information to carry out daily financial transactions relating to the financial activities of many customers. Other businesses need timely data to make informed decisions and enable day-to-day operations to run efficiently. Regardless of your business, you need to maintain data integrity and have up-to-date or real-time data. Because data can be so important and often invaluable, it is vital that businesses take steps to evaluate options and evaluate planning to ensure business continuity in the event of disruptions such as server or network failures, loss of electricity or a series of natural disasters - and so on. Each company must determine what is in its best interest to address continuity, but a good framework usually consists of a risk assessment, a business impact analysis, a disaster recovery plan, server and network redundancy, one or multiple forms of data backup media, such as as well as a universal power supply (U...... half of the document ......n in addition to the RPO and priorities, which can be referenced from the BIA. They will also provide contact information for the vendors and other third parties listed, especially that relating to any secondary data service provider. It is important that the organization and sequence of recovery events are clearly listed components can include a variety of backup methods and a number of alternative sites sites are empty and have only basic electrical needs, but others provide everything needed to quickly resume operations. Redundant servers and networks are also components, as is equipment replacement as a form of preventative maintenance. . Although useful, none of these solutions are mandatory and each must be evaluated based on the needs and financial resources that the company is willing to invest.