Disaster recovery plans (DRP) are required by all organizations. During a disaster, the DRP will provide all of the information that the organization needs to get back to business-as-usual in as little time as possible. There are three steps involved in successfully documenting a DRP: •Use tests and audits to help fuel the plan creation. •Ensure the plan contains all information required in an emergency. •Put mechanisms in place to maintain and update the plan as needed. Be prepared! Use this solution set to create a comprehensive DRP for your organization.

1. Document the Disaster Recovery Plan Now Info-Tech Research Group

7. DRPs contain all the information your organization needs to get back up and running after a disaster Info-Tech Research Group “ There are a number of considerations that must be reviewed and evaluated. Understanding the process to take to develop a comprehensive DRP is more valuable and complex. There is an ocean of information on specific solutions. The trick is understanding.” - Vice President, Information

20. Testing is necessary for all DRPs Info-Tech Research Group Perform testing on the DRP periodically to ensure that the plan works and that the entire organization knows what to do in the event of a disaster. Requires no disruption to the organization’s day-to-day activities. With this method, the plan is tested verbally with all of the DR Teams. Requires no disruption to the organization’s day-to-day activities. With this method, the plan is tested in a disaster simulation, the standby facility is brought on-line to make sure that it is fully operational. Requires no disruption to the organization’s day-to-day activities. The plan is tested in the standby facility using the historical data. This data is processed to ensure the same results as the primary facility are produced. Requires disruption to the organization’s day-to-day activities. With this method, the plan is tested in a full disaster scenario where the primary facility is brought down and the business runs off of the standby facility alone. This method also tests whether the organization can successfully go back to the primary facility following a disaster. MAGNITUDE OF EFFORT INCREASES