Disaster Recovery- Part 1
In today’s environment, world events have challenged us to not only be aware, but also to be prepared for the unknown. This is especially true for the business environment, having a basic emergency response plan and implementing disaster management scenarios are no longer appropriate. Organizations are now forced to implement comprehensive processes known collectively as Disaster Recovery. Disaster Recovery is also referred to as Business Continuity. The creation of an on-going, interactive process that ensures the continuation of organizations critical business functions, during and after a major catastrophe is the basis for Disaster Recovery. Disaster Recovery can be defined as ‘the ability to respond to an interruption in services by implementing a disaster recovery plan to restore an organization's critical business functions.’(it.jhu.edu). Business Continuity is a comprehensive managed effort to prioritize key business processes, [that] identifies significant threats to normal operation, and plan mitigation strategies to ensure effective and efficient organizational response to the challenges that surface during and after a crisis. (ASIS GDL, 7)
http://www.cgipa.com/business.htm
Why Should a Disaster Recovery Plan be implemented?
There are many different risks that can negatively impact the normal operations of an organization. A risk assessment should be performed to determine what constitutes a disaster and what a specific company is most susceptible to. These can be external or internal and may include but are not limited to the following:-
• Natural Disasters
• Fire
• Power Failures
• Terrorist Attacks
• Theft
• Computer Viruses
• Human Error
• System and Equipment Failures
Goals of a Disaster Recovery Plan
Disaster Recovery Plans aim to ensure certain conditions are met throughout the organization. These are seldom standardized and as such every organization must ensure that the major risk associated with their particular organizations critical business functions are evaluated and addressed. Some key components include:-
• Minimizing operations interruption
• Limiting the extent of disruption and damage
• Minimizing economic impact
• Establishing alternative means of operation
• Training network managers on emergency procedures
• Provide for smooth and rapid restoration of service