Security professionals have a lot on their plate when it comes to protecting the lives and property of their customers. But what about protecting your own assets?

Last year saw some of the worst hurricanes, wildfires and storms in recent history. With this year’s hurricane season predicted to be average to above-average, it’s imperative to be prepared for a worst-case scenario. After all, the weather can be quite unpredictable.

Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., ConnectWise knows firsthand what it’s like to be in the path of devastating weather. Most recently, the company had to overcome the havoc of Hurricane Irma.

Fortunately, the company put together a disaster readiness guide based on industry expertise and experience. Below are four ways compiled by ConnectWise to prepare your security company for this hurricane season.

1. Get Prepared Early

The No. 1 thing you can do is be prepared well in advance for hurricane season. That way, if something were to happen, you already have a plan in place.

If you and your customers lose power, how can they get in touch with you? Are you able to roll trucks, or do you need to wait for debris to be removed from roads? Make sure you have a contingency plan should such instances occur.

2. Build (or Update) Your Action Plan and Test It

Not only should you have an action plan, but you should make sure to test it at least once a year. That way, if a hurricane or other natural disaster does occur, your staff can execute against an established blueprint and checklist.

Have backups in place if something changes on your team, including people leaving or joining the team. They key is to make sure everyone is on the same page. If you’ve built and documented a disaster action plan and checklist, you’ll find your company will run much smoother in an emergency.

3. Form a Mission-Critical Team

ConnectWise has a mission-critical team consisting of 10-15 people inside the company who are prepared and empowered to make decisions on next steps and delegate responsibilities. They make sure every member of the team has a crystal-clear understanding of their role in the days leading up to a potential disaster.

Building your own mission-critical team should start with considering the size and capability of your company, and also include any team members you can call on in other areas that may not be impacted by the storm.

You want to make sure you are able to communicate and relay information to your customers while also keeping your staff as safe as possible.

4. Overcommunicate

To handle business continuity properly, ConnectWise knew that overcommunication was key for its partners and colleagues during Hurricane Irma. Standard information updates came from the hurricane center four times a day, which allowed the company to get the latest information out each time so that its business, colleagues and their families were knowledgeable on its current situation.

During an emergency, make sure to communicate on a variety of platforms. Some people may not have access to a phone, but can use the internet and check social media. Use multiple forms of communication, such as email, social media, crisis hotlines or notifications on your support page.

Being prepared for a potential disaster is something that takes careful thought and planning. Start with a disaster readiness checklist, and then start making decisions based on the tips above.

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!

Related Content