In the wake of Hurricane Milton’s potential impact, businesses must take swift and decisive action to protect their critical IT infrastructure. As Florida Governor DeSantis has declared a State of Emergency, it’s vital for businesses across the state to prepare for potential disruptions. At Virtual IT Group, we’re committed to ensuring that your data stays safe, and your business operations experience minimal disruption. This guide outlines the added steps we are taking to safeguard your data and offers essential advice for protecting your office equipment. 

Virtual IT Group’s Precautions for Your Data 

For clients subscribed to our ViTG Cloud Backup Services, your data is already securely stored in the cloud. However, as part of our enhanced precautions, we are: 

• Verifying backup completion: We ensure that all scheduled backups have been successfully completed and stored in our secure data centers. 

• Performing added virtual recovery tests: These tests allow us to verify that your data can be restored quickly and efficiently in case of an emergency. 

Our priority is to keep your business up and running, no matter the external conditions. However, while we safeguard your data, it’s equally important for your team to take proactive steps to protect your office equipment. 

Essential Steps to Protect Your Office Equipment During a Hurricane 

Whether you have on-site servers or simply basic office equipment, it is critical to take preventative measures to protect them from storm-related damage. Follow these steps to ensure your devices stay safe from power surges, water damage, and other threats. 

1. Prepare with Protective Coverings 

• Plastic sheeting or trash bags: Have large plastic sheeting or trash bags ready to cover computers, servers, and other electronic equipment. These items help prevent water from seeping into your devices if leaks occur. 

• Plastic tarps: For larger items that can’t be easily moved (like printers or copiers), use plastic tarps to cover them securely. 

2. Unplug Non-Essential Equipment 

To protect your devices from power surges: 

• Unplug all electronics from electrical outlets except essential network equipment, such as servers and routers, which are protected by uninterruptible power supplies (UPS). These UPS units will help mitigate power fluctuations. 

• Disconnect peripheral devices such as monitors, scanners, and external hard drives to reduce the risk of surge damage. 

3. Move Equipment Away from Windows and Floors 

Moving electronic devices away from windows helps prevent damage from shattered glass or rain that may blow through. Additionally: 

• Raise electronics off the floor: Move computers, battery backups, and other small devices to desks or tables to prevent water damage caused by flooding. 

• Elevate larger electronics: If you have equipment that cannot be moved easily (such as a copier), place it on a platform or elevated surface if possible. 

4. Cover Critical Equipment 

Some equipment cannot be unplugged or moved, such as servers or key networking hardware. To protect these devices: 

• Cover with plastic sheeting: Ensure any immovable devices are covered securely with plastic sheeting. This protects them from potential water damage while allowing enough airflow to prevent overheating. 

5. Secure Your Backup Power 

For businesses with on-premises servers, ensure your UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) units are functioning correctly: 

• Check battery levels: Make sure your UPS units have sufficient power and are in good working order. 

• Test your generators: If your business uses backup generators, verify they are functional and ready for use. 

Why Preparedness Matters 

Hurricanes pose a significant risk to businesses in affected areas and ensuring your IT infrastructure is ready for anything can make all the difference. A few preventative steps can save you from potential downtime, monetary loss, or critical data loss. At Virtual IT Group, we are fully prepared to help you weather this storm with minimal disruption. 

Need Assistance? Our team is available to help you implement these steps and offer added guidance on securing your business during this weather event. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us. 

Protecting your data and equipment is our priority—especially when the storm hits. 

By following these guidelines and staying vigilant, you can help mitigate the risk of damage to your IT infrastructure during a hurricane. Be proactive and stay prepared. Together, we can weather the storm.