With the growing threat of power outages and blackouts, more businesses are asking a crucial question: What needs to be turned off and when?
Properly shutting down your IT infrastructure and facilities in the right order can mean the difference between smooth recovery and costly data loss or equipment damage. In this article, we’ll guide you through some essential steps for creating a power-down checklist that can keep your business safe during a power outage.
Why You Need a Power Down Sequence
Power outages, especially unexpected ones, can wreak havoc on your IT systems. Having a clear, documented power-down process ensures that everything in your office, from servers to security systems, is properly shut down, reducing the risk of data corruption and hardware failure.
Let’s break down what your checklist should include and how you can work with your IT partner to make sure your business is prepared.
1) Assess Each Floor of Your Office
If your business operates on multiple floors, it’s important to create a floor-by-floor checklist. Each floor may have unique equipment that needs attention, such as printers, computers, security systems, or specialized machinery. List out everything that needs to be powered down and ensure there’s a person responsible for each area.
2) Shutting Down Your Servers Properly
Most modern businesses run their IT systems on virtual environments. This means multiple virtual servers are operating inside one physical server, and it’s critical to power down the virtual servers before shutting down the physical server. Failure to do so can lead to data corruption.
This is an essential part of your checklist, and your IT provider should help you establish a safe shutdown procedure. Also, ask about data recovery plans in case something goes wrong during an unexpected blackout. Having a recovery strategy in place reduces the risk of permanent data loss.
3) Don’t Forget About Security Systems
Your power-down plan should also include security and fire alarms. In the event of a power outage, are these systems equipped with backup batteries? If not, you’ll need to assess what assets need protection and how to secure the building when there’s no power.
Without proper cooling, heating, or lighting, you’ll also need to think about your policy for sending staff home. Make sure you have a reliable way to communicate with your employees when the power is down—whether through mobile devices or another system that isn’t dependent on your office’s electricity.
4) The Power-Up Process
After a blackout, it’s not just about turning everything back on—there’s a correct sequence to follow to ensure your IT systems come back online smoothly. Your power-up sequence should start with network hardware like switches, routers, and Wi-Fi access points to restore connectivity to the office.
Once the network is operational, you can begin powering up your servers. Following a documented process ensures that nothing gets missed and reduces the chances of further complications.
5) Collaborate with Your IT Partner
Your IT provider plays a key role in ensuring your power-down and power-up processes are successful. Involve them in the planning and review of your checklist, and make sure they help you with the technical details, like shutting down virtual servers and protecting critical data.
If your business is located in Wylie, Texas, or nearby, TekCom Computer can help you design and implement a customized power-down plan that covers everything from IT infrastructure to security systems. Don’t wait until you’re faced with an unexpected outage—get in touch with us today to ensure your business is prepared.