Disaster recovery plans need to be linked to everyday processes, it has been claimed.

In an article for ZDNET, InTechnology writes that cost needs to be the second, not first priority to ensure proper preparations are made.

The article also points out that while dealing with a disaster is an exception, preparation should not be.

'What-if' scenarios are also an important part of the planning process, with disaster recovery plans needing to be part of day-to-day operations - which will help ensure they do not expire.

InTechnology also warned that a disaster recovery plan requires everyone involved to understand their personal role.

The comments follow research by data security provider PGP, which showed that seven in ten UK organisations were hit by a security breach within the last 12 months.

Meanwhile, more than a third indicated that it is not necessary to encrypt confidential data, which may leave them exposed to data loss.

New research from Connect found that, on average, it takes businesses that use backup tapes take 11.6 hours to retrieve and restore files. Connect is now recommending that SMEs switch to online backup.