Sometimes it takes a shakeup to get people moving. The earthquake-tsunami-nuclear reactor meltdown triple-whammy in Japan seems to be the perfect impetus for reviewing company-wide disaster-recovery policies.

After Sept. 11, 2001, disaster planning was on the front burner at most companies. Auto financiers revamped strategies for dealing with future attacks. They looked anew at data-recovery procedures and implemented plans to transfer operations from one location to another should the need arise.

But that was a decade ago. Sure, lenders have since dealt with other disasters ― hurricanes, blizzards, and such. But now ― before the next big crisis hits ― is the perfect time to take a good look at policies in place and make the appropriate changes.