Storm Protocol: Why Your MSP Should Call You First Thing After a Storm

“If you don’t like the weather in Oklahoma, wait a minute.” – Will Rogers

I always knew I’d have plenty of work to do in technology. But I figured I’d be in some basement or office somewhere, managing and enhancing systems—not really having to talk with folks much or be concerned about things like the weather.

Fast forward 25 years, and I’m speaking at Harvard and Nasdaq, helping business leaders understand how to simplify complex technology and implement processes that keep their companies running to avoid loss and downtime.

In Oklahoma, the weather isn’t just a conversation starter—it’s a business risk of tornadoes, hail, straight-line winds, and ice storms. While helping organizations navigate this chaos, I’ve learned that the difference between downtime and resilience often comes down to one thing: who calls who first.

That’s why we created the Storm Protocol—a simple but powerful process that ensures your Managed Service Provider (MSP) is proactive, not passive, when the skies turn dark.

Morning After

Imagine this: a storm rolls through overnight. You wake up to branches in the yard, flickering lights, and no Internet. You’re wondering if your systems are up, if your team can work, and whether your customers will notice anything’s wrong.

Now imagine your phone rings. It’s your MSP.

They’re checking in. They’ve already reviewed your systems. They know there’s an ISP outage in your area. They’re asking if you need anything else.

That’s not just good service. That’s business continuity in action.

What Most MSPs Miss

Too many MSPs rely on automation and email alerts. But after a storm, email might not reach you. Power might be out. Your office might be inaccessible. And yet, they wait for you to call them.

That’s not support. That’s a gamble.

A real partner doesn’t wait for a ticket. They anticipate the need. They check in. They make sure you’re okay—before you even have to ask.

What the Storm Protocol Covers

The Storm Protocol is built into every System Plan we create. It’s not a separate service. It’s not an add-on. It’s just how we operate.

Here’s what it includes:

• Morning-after check-in Your MSP should call you by 8:00 AM after a storm to:

• System Plan documentation

• Communication redundancy

It’s not complicated. It’s just responsible.

A Real-World Continuity Plan

Here’s a section you can copy and paste into your own Business Continuity Plan. It’s designed for clarity and action—because when storms hit, no one has time to dig through a binder.

Storm Protocol – Business Continuity Procedure

Purpose: Ensure business operations continue during and after severe weather events.

Scope: Applies to all employees and systems affected by storms, power outages, or Internet disruptions.

Procedure:

1. Post-Storm MSP Check-In

2. Work-from-Home Contingency

3. Emergency Contacts

4. Communication Channels

5. Documentation

Why It Matters

Storms are inevitable. Downtime isn’t.

The businesses that thrive are the ones that plan ahead. They don’t just have backups—they have people who care. They don’t just have systems—they have processes. And they don’t just have vendors—they have partners.

If your MSP isn’t calling you after a storm, ask yourself: what else are they missing?

• Are they monitoring your backups?

• Are they patching your systems?

• Are they even awake?

Let’s Talk

We’ve helped hundreds of organizations build resilience into their operations. Not with buzzwords or bloated reports—but with clear plans, tested procedures, and a team that shows up when it matters most.

If your MSP doesn’t have a Storm Protocol—or worse, doesn’t even know what one is—then it’s time to talk.

👉 Schedule a Free Consult

Because when the next storm hits, you shouldn’t be wondering what’s going on. You should already know.

For more thought leadership, follow Kevin Fream.