By Brian McKay

Like every other business in 2016, your organization is probably totally dependent on technology. There are more and more start-ups which rely on the cloud to connect remote workers, and as technology continues to develop we’re only going to see more and more of it in the modern workplace. So what would happen if your business ran into a full-blown tech disaster? I’m sure that’s a pretty terrifying concept, so here’s some advice to help you avoid it.

First and foremost, get all the insurance you could possibly need. Technology disasters can stem from all kinds of things. There could be a fire in your office which destroys your computers and equipment. The building could take water damage, resulting in leaks which could render your computers useless. Even extreme weather conditions could cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to the equipment you depend on to keep making sales. These are just a few of the freak incidents that could cause your business to grind to a halt. Don’t assume that your landlord’s insurance policy will cover everything that could possibly happen to you. Go through each and every piece of tech you depend on, and make sure it’s properly insured.

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Although freak acts of god are a very real possibility, it’s much more likely that a tech disaster will come from something… well, technological! Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ll know that computers don’t always perform exactly as you’d like them to. Keeping every last piece of tech properly maintained can be a very tall order. This is especially true if you’re relying on the resident computer whizz, rather than a professional IT support service like Paperclick. If you’re running a fledgling start-up, then resources might be stretched. However, investing in professional, reliable tech support will be well worth the investment if and when disaster strikes. If you haven’t already, you should seriously consider outsourcing your IT support.

Finally, make sure you’re keeping to a decent cycle for updating all of your computers. One of the biggest issues within modern businesses, particularly start-ups, is the use of outdated technology. Believe it or not, the average office computer has a fair chance of being much older than the one you use at home. Considering that pretty much every company has more capital to throw around than most individuals, this is a pretty strange concept. However, that’s the way it is, and CEOs who drag their feet with upgrades can often be very detrimental to their organization’s productivity. I’m not suggesting that you upgrade the whole office every time a slightly improved model gets released. However, it’s extremely important to make sure you’re upgrading your tech often enough to avoid hiccups and disasters. Instead of letting your employees struggle on with computers that are on their last legs, get into a habit of reviewing your equipment and considering upgrades.

Take this advice, and you’ll be able to go much longer without running your business into a damaging tech disaster.

Brian McKay is a co-founder of zenruption. He has a B.A. in Political Science from Gonzaga University and an M.B.A. from Boise State University (yes that blue field). His goal in life is to look out for the regular guy and bring as much knowledge and change to this world as he can. His purpose in founding Zenruption was to do just that and help craft the world he wants his daughter to inherit. Please feel free to email him any feedback or article ideas at brian@zenruption.com.  On twitter: @brianmckay71

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