When running a business, there is always that feeling that things are going almost too well and that something is bound to crop up and derail all your hard work in an instant. Whether or not this feeling is justified, for the superstitious among us, it is nothing but a sign of something about to go very wrong, very soon.

Most small businesses will encounter disaster at some point, this is unavoidable, as many types of disaster are usually influenced by external factors. But it is the actions you take immediately following this disaster can be a make or break for your company.

BREAK-INS AND ROBBERIES

Break-ins and robberies can be traumatic experiences matter when the theft took place. Whether it be during the day, where your employees were exposed to the crime, or at night, where you are stuck with the knowledge of intruders rummaging through potentially sensitive information.

While people always think ‘It won’t happen to me’, that doesn’t mean you can afford to be careless. Ensuring you have taken the correct measures to adequately secure your office from outsiders will save a lot of trouble in the future. For this, it is smart to research CCTV systems online as well as investing in alarm systems to properly protect your business from intruders.

FORCES OF NATURE

Natural disasters can have a catastrophic effect on your business. Statistics demonstrate that ninety percent of businesses that remain closed up to five days following a natural disaster will end up closing forever.

Dealing with the aftermath of natural disasters can be a long and arduous process. Depending on the type of disaster (flood, hurricane, wildfire, etc.) it is essential to have a contingency plan at the ready to continue. Identifying potential issues that might occur in the case of a disaster will allow you to act quickly and efficiently, should disaster strike.

It is recommended to create a list of things to check – such as electricity and leaks within the business, as well as getting in contact with a recovery team to assist you, your employees, and any customers that might be with you at the time.

HACKING

There are over fourteen million businesses in the US alone that are at risk of a hacking threat. Modern technology has made it easier than ever to access the sensitive data of others and use it for bribery, or the hacker’s benefit.

To avoid falling victim to hacks, where much of your important information such as bank details, passwords, and addresses could be accessed, it is imperative to invest in a reliable and secure IT security system. Furthermore, encourage your employees to not share personal information with anyone, no matter how harmless, and have them change passwords every two weeks or so (as annoying as we all know that can be).

The risk of disaster is ever present, but that doesn’t mean your business needs to live in fear of when it may strike. By adequately preparing for any disaster before it happens, you will be in a better position than before following it, and the chance of recovering is stronger than ever.