Face Uncertainty with Confidence with a Disaster Recovery Plan
“I’ll be back” says Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator after being denied entry into a police station. He soon returns, crashing and massacring. Due to its concise clarity, that line has become memorable as a declaration or even a threat. Just a line in the original script in the movie, Schwarzenegger has stated that upon reading it, that he thought nothing further about it.
Sadly, many business owners and managers in northern New Jersey, like Schwarzenegger, do not think much or enough about how they can survive a major disaster whether it be a cyber event, natural disaster, or physical/property occurrence. Owners and managers must be as determined as Arnold the Terminator to say “I’ll be back” in the event of any calamity. Another line from this film, “there’s no fate but what we make” encapsulates the importance of disaster recovery planning. Businesses can shape their destiny through choices and actions. A Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) is your blueprint for survival in the face of unexpected disruptions—whether it’s a cyberattack, natural disaster, power outage, or even a global pandemic. Without one, irreparable damage is the likely outcome, just like the cities left in ruins by Skynet’s judgment day in The Terminator.
So, make the choice to put a disaster recovery plan in place. Our recommended approach:
- Spot the Risks. Start by thinking through the “what ifs.” What if your customer data vanished? What if a flood hit your shop? This step is all about figuring out what could go wrong and how badly it would hurt your business.
- Back Up Your Data (religiously). Think of this like Sarah Connor protecting the future—your data is that important. Set up automatic backups and store them somewhere safe (like the cloud or offsite). That way, if disaster strikes, you’re not starting from scratch.
- Have a Game Plan for Communication. When things go sideways, you don’t want to be scrambling to figure out who to call. Make a simple plan for how you’ll contact your team, your customers, and your vendors. Who’s in charge of what? How will you reach them?
- Know What to Do Right Away. This is your “in-the-moment” playbook. It should cover things like how to shut down systems, where to go if you need to evacuate, and how to keep everyone safe.
- Assign Roles (no lone wolves). Everyone on your team should know what their job is if something goes wrong. Think of it like the resistance in The Terminator—everyone had a role to play in saving the future.
- Test It Like You Mean It. A plan that just sits in a drawer won’t help you. Run drills, test your backups, and update your plan regularly. The more you practice, the smoother things will go when it really counts.
A theme of the Terminator franchise is that “the future is not set.” Sarah Connor didn’t wait around for fate to decide—she prepared, adapted, and fought to protect what mattered most. The same mindset applies to your business. Whether it’s a cyberattack, fire, or supply chain meltdown, your own version of “judgment day” could come without warning. But with a solid Disaster Recovery Plan in place, you’re not just reacting—you’re taking control of your future. It is your way of saying “I’ll be back”—no matter what hits you. Backups, communication protocols, and clear roles are your weapons in the fight to stay operational.
According to FEMA, 40% of small businesses never reopen after a disaster. A DRP isn’t just a safety net, it’s a strategic asset. It protects your reputation, preserves customer trust, and ensures continuity. With the assistance of IT Radix, you can create a Disaster Recovery Plan and face uncertainty with confidence, protect your team and customers, and keep your business alive—even when the future looks bleak. Contact IT Radix today!
First published in our September 2025 IT Radix Resource newsletter