IT disaster recovery for small businesses

    IT disaster recovery is the work needed to restore systems and data after a serious interruption. We help small businesses prepare recovery routes, with Microsoft 365 backup from £2.50 per user per month, plus VAT.

    An external backup drive and its cable

    Monthly starting prices exclude VAT and are based on a 3 year term billed monthly. Shorter terms cost a little more. Your price is confirmed in a written quote.

    Backup, recovery and continuity are different

    TermWhat it does
    BackupKeeps a separate recovery copy of information or a system
    Disaster recoveryRestores usable IT and checks that it works
    Business continuityKeeps important business activities moving during disruption

    Recovery services and scope

    Our server-backup service starts from £35 per server monthly, plus VAT. It takes a complete system copy and tests backups automatically every day. A failed server can run from a cloud copy while the original is rebuilt, subject to the agreed configuration and a working access route.

    Desktop and laptop backup starts from £10 per device monthly, plus VAT, with automatic daily backup tests. Independent Microsoft 365 backup starts from £2.50 per user monthly, plus VAT, and is standard in our support agreements.

    Keep a separate recovery route

    The ICO's data security guidance illustrates the 3-2-1 approach with three copies, two on different devices and one off site. Read ICO data security guidance.

    Use the 3-2-1 principle as a design check, not a promise that every copy survives every incident. Check separation of credentials, storage, permissions and recovery access. Ask how an attacker or accidental change could affect more than one copy.

    Recovery scenarios

    The wording below describes our pricing guide, not guaranteed restoration times. Data size, permissions, equipment, applications and connectivity affect the actual result.

    What failedWhat happensTime to usable work
    A single email or mailbox is lostSelect an authorised independent recovery copyUsually within minutes, as described in the pricing guide
    An office server is lostStart a cloud copy and reconnect authorised usersThe guide describes cloud startup within minutes; complete business recovery must be tested
    A laptop is lost or encryptedRecover a file or restore an image to replacement hardwareA file may be recovered in minutes; full-device recovery depends on replacement hardware and setup

    Prove the result

    The ICO's data security guidance says testing results should be documented and recommendations acted on or their rejection justified. Read ICO data security guidance.

    Include an application owner in a restore test. A computer starting is not enough: check records, permissions, integrations and the most recent usable recovery point.

    What we can do for you

    We help you agree priorities, document workarounds and check the recovery arrangements. Continuity planning is quoted as a fixed fee after a free 30 minute call. The technical fallbacks use our standard prices.

    Technical fallbackFrom per month, plus VAT
    Independent Microsoft 365 backup£2.50 per user, included as standard in support agreements
    Email filtering£1.50 per user, not needed as an additional filter with Microsoft 365 Premium
    Server backup with cloud failover£35 per server
    Desktop and laptop backup£10 per device
    Business phone system£11 per user

    Monthly starting prices exclude VAT and use a 3 year term billed monthly. Shorter terms cost a little more. Your price and the actual fallback arrangements are confirmed in a written quote.

    Questions about this service

    Does a backup keep every service running?

    No. Backup provides a recovery copy. Alternative access, replacement equipment, staff instructions and decisions are separate parts of a continuity plan.

    Will you guarantee a recovery time?

    We agree targets after reviewing the systems, dependencies and test results. A planning target or example is not a contractual recovery guarantee.

    Is security monitoring an out-of-hours helpdesk?

    No. Our security partner's analysts provide the contracted 24x7 account monitoring. Normal support hours are Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 17:30, excluding UK bank holidays.

    Where should we start?

    Call 01494 866668 for a free 30 minute planning conversation. Describe the activity you could least afford to lose and the arrangements already in place.

    Free tools to help you prepare

    Continuity tools

    Use these planning aids to prepare a conversation. Do not put passwords or confidential records in a worksheet.

    Related information

    Talk to us about your business

    Call 01494 866668

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