While most MSPs focus on cyber threats, recent natural disasters—like hurricanes in Florida and across the Southeast—have made one thing clear: real disaster recovery goes far beyond the digital realm. In a recent Cyber Call, Andrew Morgan hosted a panel of industry experts to discuss how MSPs can evolve their disaster recovery (DR) and incident response (IR) strategies to address both physical and digital risks.
Chris Lair of Solace Security emphasized that MSPs must translate technical plans into business outcomes. Clients care about revenue loss, SLAs, contractual obligations, and reputation—not server uptime. This means that every disaster recovery plan must begin with a thorough Business Impact Analysis (BIA) to identify and prioritize critical operations before disaster strikes.
Another blind spot often ignored is the human factor. Whether it’s staff evacuations, power outages, or the emotional toll of a crisis, people are central to business continuity. Your DR plan must account for employee availability, remote access, and structured communication. Clear roles, backup personnel, and consistent messaging are critical components of a resilient response.
The good news? Affordable disaster recovery isn’t a myth. Tracy Risco from Huntress and Net Lynch of Kraft Kennedy stressed that cloud-based solutions, smart prioritization, and tools like Starlink can dramatically increase preparedness without excessive cost. Focus on securing the most essential 20% of infrastructure that delivers 80% of business value. Partnering with other MSPs can also help build mutual support networks and share resources.
The panel also called for a broader perspective. Disaster recovery planning must consider compliance, long-term business viability, and the practical limitations of what each MSP can and should handle. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress, planning, and preparedness. By taking a proactive, holistic approach, MSPs can protect more than just data—they can protect businesses.
The takeaway is clear: the disasters of tomorrow demand smarter, broader, and more human-centered planning today. Revisit your DR strategy, involve your clients in business-focused conversations, and build plans that hold up not just in theory—but in reality.
