Disaster Recovery Planning (disasterrecoveryplanning.html)

"Disasters take many forms. They're caused by gale force winds, sudden floods, releases of deadly chemicals, fire, ice, even upheavals of the earth itself. When disaster strikes, the best protection is knowing what to do."

FEMA

Disaster Recovery Planning Outline

Organize the Planning Process

1. Decide on Disaster Recovery Objectives

2. Appoint a Contingency Planning Co-coordinator and an Emergency Management Team

3. Develop an initial set of assumptions and definitions

Disaster Defined

1. Decide on the type of Disaster to consider

2. Conduct a Risk Analysis (cursory)

3. Tentatively select a Key Disaster Scenario

Data Collection & Documentation addressed

1. Assemble all organizational procedures and standards relative to emergencies

2. Assemble all documentation relative to the inventory of resources; including hardware, communications, software, forms, facility descriptions, etc.

Recovery Strategies assessed / reviewed

1. Make an evaluation of what systems are vital, important, useful, and/or nonessential

2. Analyze the applications and facilities against the recovery objectives

3. Assess the operational requirements of the critical resources and applications

4. Agree on the assumptions and the definitions

5. Tentatively determine what is to be covered in the plan

6. Set priorities and acceptable timeframes for recovery

7. PRESENTATION – Status to Executive / obtain Management agreement to proceed

Customize & Finalize the Plan

1. Establish a Planning / Steering Committee:

a. Roles & Responsibilities

b.Types of Organization

c. Control & Development

d. Membership

2. Develop Budget Requirements

3. Identify Planning Team(s) & Responsibilities

4. Develop & C0-ordinate Action Plans

5. Develop Project Management & Documentation Requirements

6. Report to Senior Management for Approval & Commitment

7. Use Project Management

Test & Maintain the Plan

1. Exercise Program and Objectives

2. Exercise Plans, Scenarios and Actual Exercises

3. Plan (Exercise) Evaluation

4. Training, Corporate Awareness Program(s) and Vehicles for Dissemination

5. Schedules and Budgets for Update and Maintenance Activities

6. Evaluate and select Software Tools for Update and Maintenance

7. Review Criteria

8. Program Status, Reporting and Audits

9. Plan Distribution and Security

With good Plans in place, frequently tested, and well audited, there is every likelihood that this company will cope with adverse events, continue in business, satisfying its customers, meeting its commitments, paying its bills, and making a return on investment.