Disaster recovery efforts are a key part of business operations and planning. However, according to a recent survey by Evolve IP, "The 2015 Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Survey," more than half of businesses say they are only "somewhat prepared" for recovery needs. More than 2,000 companies responded to the survey, which focused on IT services.

The fact that a mere 45.5 percent of organizations feel they are ready to recovery essential resources following a disaster shows woeful business continuity planning across the United States. No company is immune from a natural or manmade disaster, and a crisis can strike at any time. The simple fact is that firms that don't have a continuity of operations plan in place, which they can rely on, are putting themselves at risk of utter failure should a major catastrophe occur.

For example, a year after Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast, 30 percent of the businesses affected by the storm system closed their doors for good, and FEMA predicted that another 10 percent wouldn't reopen.

In order to protect your firm from unavoidable risks like hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes and blizzards, you have to develop a strong business continuity plan that will provide contingency plans for every crisis and support swift and efficient recovery efforts that minimize resource loss, whether it's money or data.

Your plan also has to take employees into account and ensure they are proper supported and protected during and after a disaster.

In order to streamline continuity planning and eliminate the chance that a key aspect of operations will be missed, invest in expert consulting advice to go over your strategy with you and point out weak spots or potential problems.