Take Caution: Cyclone Preparedness for North Queensland Businesses

Cyclone season is here, and with forecasts indicating potential severe weather approaching North Queensland, businesses need to be proactive, not reactive when it comes to protecting their IT infrastructure. A natural disaster can disrupt operations, compromise critical data, and expose businesses to increased cybersecurity risks—but with the right preparation, you can minimize downtime and safeguard your business.

In our latest “Don’t Be A Sitting Duck” podcast episode, we break down the essential technology and cybersecurity steps every business should take before, during, and after a cyclone to ensure continuity and security.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

1. Back Up & Protect Your Data

• Ensure your data is securely backed up to the cloud or an offsite location.
• Test backup restoration before a disaster to confirm it’s working.
• Protect physical hardware by moving critical IT infrastructure away from flood-prone areas.

2. Prepare for Power Outages

• Use uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) for essential equipment.
• Fully charge laptops, mobile devices, and power banks in advance.
• Power down and unplug non-essential equipment to avoid surge damage.

3. Ensure Business Continuity & Communication

• Have a clear emergency communication plan in place for your team.
• Ensure cloud-based tools (Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zoom) are accessible for remote work.
• Store key IT support contacts and disaster recovery procedures in multiple locations.

4. Beware of Cyber Threats

• Be cautious of phishing emails and fake disaster relief scams.
• Secure remote access with multi-factor authentication (MFA) and VPNs.
• If employees take devices home, ensure proper security policies are in place.

5. Post-Cyclone Recovery

• Assess network integrity and confirm system stability before resuming operations.
• Verify all data backups before bringing systems back online.
• Conduct a post-incident review to improve future preparedness.

Listen to the Full Episode Now

🎙️ Episode Title: Take Caution: Cyclone Preparedness for North Queensland Businesses
📢 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube

🔗 Listen here: Episode SPECIAL: Take Caution: Cyclone Preparedness for Businesses in North Queensland

This episode is part of our ‘Don’t Be A Sitting Duck’ cybersecurity awareness initiative, helping businesses stay protected against both natural disasters and cyber threats.