A Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) is "a documented process to recover business operations in the event of a disaster." Disasters encompass various scenarios, from natural events to data breaches. The DRP forms part of an organization's Business Continuity framework—the capacity to sustain critical functions after a disaster occurs.
Benefits of Implementation
A well-documented DRP delivers several advantages:
- Minimizes risk, delays, and decision-making challenges during disasters
- Decreases workplace stress during emergencies
- Ensures standby system reliability
- Provides testing plan standards
- Reduces potential legal liabilities
Consequences of Missing a Plan
Without a DRP, organizations face significant risks:
- Loss of financial and reputational assets
- Extended recovery timeframes (averaging 69 days after data breaches)
- Disrupted business continuity
Key Metrics: RPO and RTO
Recovery Point Objective (RPO): The maximum acceptable time interval during disruption before data loss becomes intolerable.
Recovery Time Objective (RTO): The duration within which business processes must resume to prevent continuity impacts.
Five-Step Development Process
Step 1: Conduct Security Risk Assessment
Identify organizational risks across technology and processes, verify existing controls, and analyze potential disasters and consequences.
Step 2: Establish Processing Priorities
Define critical departmental needs and prioritize systems essential to business functions for faster recovery sequencing.
Step 3: Collect Data
Create comprehensive reference lists including vendor contacts, inventory records, backup schedules, and operational essentials.
Step 4: Document Written Plan
Compile collected data into a formal document containing:
- Business Impact Assessment
- Off-site Storage Location
- Communications Plan
- Response and Recovery Strategy
- Hardware and Software Inventory
Step 5: Develop Testing Criteria
Determine backup facility feasibility, identify necessary modifications, and execute plan tests.
Essential Considerations
- Define downtime and data loss tolerance thresholds
- Designate clear role assignments with backup personnel identification
- Establish effective communication protocols independent of primary platforms
- Include disaster provisions in vendor Service Level Agreements
- Incorporate procedures for handling sensitive information securely
Conclusion
A well-designed Disaster Recovery Plan is essential for any organization looking to protect its operations, data, and reputation. By following the five-step development process and considering key metrics like RPO and RTO, organizations can build resilience against unexpected disasters and ensure business continuity.