As discussed in Part 1, having a disaster recovery (DR) plan that protects mission-critical data is essential for maintaining business continuity. Part 2 will cover Restoring Critical Business Functions, Communications Plan, and Testing Schedule.

4) Restoring Critical Business Functions

Identifying your organization’s CBFs (Critical Business Functions) will allow your team to prioritize each one’s RTO (Recovery Time Objective) to maintain business continuity. As an important feature of your DR plan, the following is a list of the recommended documentation tasks for each CBF.

• Preventative and recovery actions required to back up or restore a CBF
• Resources and equipment needed for facilitating the above actions
• RTO for each CBF, allowing you to know how fast it must be accomplished.
• Responsibility – the person or team overseeing DR tasks for each CBF

A checklist should also be created to assess the damage and monitor recovery after a disaster event.

5) Communications Plan

A communications plan should include how to address clients, customers, employees, and other stakeholders after a disaster. In addition, a chain of communication should be established between the designated team members of a DR plan that is activated in the event of a disaster. Thus, the contact information of these key personnel should be included.

6) Testing Schedule

Nowadays, it is typical for modern companies to evolve rapidly. Consequently, their DR plans must be updated regularly. These updates often reflect new industry standards. This is why rehearsing and testing your organization’s DR plan quarterly to annually is necessary.

Holding these rehearsals and tests will make the members of your DR team and their subordinates better prepared and more confident if a disaster strikes. Teams that do not meet regularly and test their preparedness will not function as well when there is an actual disaster event. Their concentration will not be as strong, and panic may even occur.

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