Disaster Recovery Strategies
 Disaster Recovery Overview:
Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP) is no longer just about computer system availability. While this may have been the original concept, today, the definition of disaster recovery has been broadened to mean: "The ability to respond to an interruption in services by implementing a disaster recovery plan to restore an organization's critical business functions."
Business continuity planning includes disaster recovery for computer systems and services as one component while stressing continuous availability of all critical services.
Disaster Recovery Planning:
Disaster recovery planning is the technological aspect of business continuity planning. Disaster recovery planning includes the plans and preparations which are necessary to minimize loss and ensure the continuity of an organization's critical business functions in the event of disasters.
Disaster recovery (DR) has taken on a new sense of urgency in recent years. Emerging issues like terrorism, computer viruses, hackers, an increased reliance on computers, and the increasing occurrence of emergencies and disasters have all led to increased focus on disaster preparedness.
Disaster recovery planning is a vital component of business continuity planning and enterprise risk management. Disaster recovery planning is essential for insuring operational continuity. Before creating a disaster recovery plan, it is absolutely necessary to review your company's entire business continuity strategy and carefully consider the potential impacts of disasters. A business impact analysis must be performed so that you can fully understand the underlying risks and their consequences. This comprehensive planning process is the foundation upon which you would build a solid disaster recovery plan.
In today's interconnected world, organizations are more vulnerable than ever to technical difficulties disrupting critical business functions. Disasters, from earthquakes and fires to viruses and cyber terrorism, can affect the availability, integrity, and confidentiality of critical business resources, leaving your organization "dead in its tracks". In our wired economy, these business interruptions can quickly lead to significant losses. Disaster recovery planning, as part of an overall business continuity management plan, can minimize the risks associated these occurrences.
Despite the renewed focus on disaster recovery planning following recent terrorist activities, companies are still not implementing strategic contingency plans. A study by Gartner estimates that only 35% of small to mid-sized businesses have a comprehensive disaster recovery plan in place and less than 10% have implemented crisis management, contingency, business continuity and business resumption plans.
Disaster recovery planning strategies include the use of alternate sites (hot, warm, and cold sites); redundant data centers; disaster insurance; business impact analysis; and legal liabilities.
Disaster Recovery Process:
The first step in the disaster recovery planning process is to perform a business impact analysis that considers all of the potential impacts from each type of disaster. Disaster Recovery Plans should consider how to deal with these possible events:
- Natural Disasters (Earthquake, Fire, Flood, Storms)
- Acts of Terrorism (Weapons of Mass Destruction)
- Power Outages and Power Failure
- Computer Systems Failures
- Computer Service Disruptions due to Hackers, Viruses, etc.
- Business Processing Outages
Having determined the potential disasters, you must next look at the impacts of each event and the magnitude of the resulting disruptions. This critical activity will determine which scenarios are most likely to occur and the required recovery processes to implement.
Disaster Recovery Services:
Our service engagements range from a short executive briefing on a topical risk-related issue to the development and implementation of a comprehensive business continuity or disaster recovery engagement.
 • Risk Assessment
• Business Impact Analysis
• Cost benefits analysis
• Determine available options
• DR Plan Development
• DR Plan Implementation
• DR Plan Testing and Audit
Disaster Recovery Resources:
• COMING SOON - CHECK FOR UPDATES
Sample Recovery Plans:
• Sample DR Plan
• DR Sample Plans
• DR Plan Model
• Contingency Plan Outline
• DR Project Plan Outline
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