Disaster Recovery Planning - IT Systems

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Our typical approach to the development of Disaster Recovery Plans consists of five phases:

  1. Diagnostic Survey
  2. Business Continuity Management Plan (BCM) development
  3. Staff Training
  4. Plan Validation: Drills and Exercises
  5. Program Effectiveness Evaluation & Monitoring

PHASE 1: Diagnostic Survey

The diagnostic survey consists of issues analysis, risk identification and assessment of potential disaster situations. The scope of our consulting is limited to the areas listed below, concentrating on current initiatives.

  • Current Disaster Recovery Plan/Program Review
  • Corporate Office Capabilities (Assignment of Responsibility)
  • Identification of Resources (Internal, External)
  • Categorization of Potential Issues, Risks, Crisis Situations
  • Communications Systems (including media and security systems)
  • Current Level of Training
  • Interface Mechanisms

PHASE 2: Disaster Recovery Plan Development

Our approach is to:

  • Develop draft Disaster Recovery Plan materials.
  • Review the draft materials with key personnel.
  • Prepare final Disaster Recovery Plan materials.

PHASE 3: Key Staff Training

We assist our clients in the development and implementation of key staff training based on the Disaster Recovery Plan developed in Phase 2, as follows:

  • Develop draft Training Program.
  • Review the draft material with key personnel.
  • Develop final Training Program.
  • Schedule and Conduct Training (as mutually agreed upon with client).

PHASE 4: Plan Validation: Drills and Exercises

We assist our clients to assure that the Disaster Recovery Plan has been thoroughly tested through the development and implementation of a comprehensive drill and exercise program, as follows:

  • Develop draft Drill Scenarios.
  • Review the draft material with key personnel.
  • Develop final Drill Scenarios.
  • Develop draft Drill Participant
  • Controller, Evaluator Training Program.
  • Review the draft material with key personnel.
  • Develop Drill Participant, Controller, Evaluator final Training Program.
  • Schedule and Conduct Drill Participant, Controller, Evaluator Training (as mutually agreed upon with the client).
  • Schedule and Conduct Drills and Exercises (as mutually agreed upon with the client).


PHASE 5: Program Effectiveness Evaluation and Monitoring

Upon completion of the initial four phases of the Disaster Recovery Plan program, we assist our clients through periodic third party assessment and monitoring of the effectiveness of the Disaster Recovery Plan, Level of Training and Plan Validation process. Our assessment criteria are custom fitted to each client. The criteria for "All Hazards" preparedness are based upon the evaluation of nine Essential Element of Analysis (EEA). These are:

  • Administration (Disaster Recovery Plan and Supporting Materials)
  • Incident Management/Response Organization
  • Training and Retraining Program
  • Disaster Recovery Facilities and Equipment
  • Disaster Recovery Plan Implementing Procedures
  • Coordination with External Agencies/States/Governments
  • Plan Validation: Drills and Exercises
  • Communications
  • Ongoing Hazard/Vulnerability Evaluation