How to Troubleshoot Difficulty in Implementing a Disaster Plan
A disaster recovery plan provides a valuable tool for any business. A recovery plan identifies the steps and procedures that a company follows in the event of loss of data, facilities and personnel. Recovery plans are business specific and identify all areas of the business that are affected and what each business unit must do in the event of specific disasters. To determine the difficulties in implementing a disaster recovery plan, the plan must be tested and then re-tested annually.
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Instructions
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Review the disaster plan with key personnel. A key representative from each business unit must be involved in the plan review. Create a process flow document to identify all of the steps in the recovery plan. A process flow tracks the disaster from start to finish.
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Check the process flow document for any gaps. Focus on the steps in the process flow where data is transferred or where responsibility for a task changes hands. These are typically the weakest areas of the recovery plan. Add or change any necessary steps.
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Create a test team. Include a key member from each business unit. A test team conducts a mock disaster to identify problems.
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Write a test script. The test script outlines every step the test team follows to troubleshoot weakness in the recovery plan. Follow the process flow to create the test. Generate a variety of scenarios to adequately test the plan.
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Conduct a test of the disaster recovery plan. Keep careful documentation of every step of the test process.
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Review the testing process to identify any areas that did not adequately protect the business and the data. Revise the disaster recovery plan to accommodate for inadequacies in the plan.
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Tips & Warnings
Create a test environment for the test team by making a copy of information system data. Creating a copy of the system allows the test team to modify data without impacting day-to-day business functions.
References
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