IT Disaster Recovery Plan
Information technology enables businesses to process vital information rapidly and efficiently. For example, employees use Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephone systems and electronic mail to communicate. Data, such as orders and payments, are transmitted between companies through electronic data interchange (EDI). Servers handle information processing and data archiving. Employees use desktop computers, laptops, and wireless devices to generate, process, manage, and communicate information. When your information technology fails, what do you do?
Creating an IT Disaster Recovery Plan (IT DRP) should go hand in hand with developing a business continuity strategy. First, you must document information technology priorities and recovery time objectives during the business impact analysis. Then, devise technology recovery strategies to restore hardware, software, and data in time to fulfill the needs of the business.
Both large and small businesses produce and handle enormous amounts of electronic data or information. Many of those facts are significant. Some information is necessary for the business’s existence and ongoing operation. Data loss or corruption caused by technology malfunction, human error, hacking, or viruses could significantly impact. Having a plan to restore electronic information from a data backup is crucial.
Resources for Information Technology Disaster Recovery Planning
- Computer Security Resource Center – National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Computer Security Division Special Publications
- Contingency Planning Guide for Federal Information Systems – NIST Special Publication 800-34 Rev. 1
- Guide to Test, Training, and Exercise Programs for IT Plans and Capabilities – NIST Special Publication 800-84
- Building An Information Technology Security Awareness and Training Program – NIST Special Publication 800-50
IT Recovery Strategies
Creating recovery plans for information technology (IT) systems, applications, and data would be best. This plan covers connectivity, networks, servers, desktops, laptops, wireless devices, and data. Priorities for business operations and processes created during the business impact analysis should be compatible with the priorities for IT recovery. It is essential to identify the IT resources needed to support time-sensitive business operations and functions. An IT resource’s recovery time should be in line with the goal of the business process or procedure that depends on it.
System requirements for information technology include hardware, software, data, and communication. Some “systems” won’t function if missing one of its components. To prepare for the loss of one or more of the following system components, creating a comprehensive recovery strategy is key:
- Computer room setting (secure computer room with climate control, conditioned and backup power supply, etc.)
- Hardware (networks, servers, desktop and laptop computers, wireless devices and peripherals) (networks, servers, desktop and laptop computers, wireless devices and peripherals)
- Linking up with a service provider (fiber, cable, wireless, etc.)
- Software programs (electronic data interchange, electronic mail, enterprise resource management, office productivity, etc.)
Data and restoration
Some software applications cannot withstand any downtime. They use two data centers that can handle all processing requirements for data in parallel while mirroring or synchronizing data across the two centers. Only larger businesses can afford this pricey approach. There are additional options for small to medium-sized enterprises with vital business applications and data to secure.
Internal Recovery Strategies
Many companies have access to multiple facilities. IT can enable different locations to operate the same hardware and software applications when necessary. If data is mirrored between the two sites or backed up off-site, processing can resume after the data has been recovered.
Vendor-Supported Recovery Strategies
Vendors can offer “hot sites” for IT disaster recovery. These locations are complete data centers with standardized hardware and software. Subscribers can provide specialized hardware or software during a disaster or keep it on hand at a hot site.
Vendors can host and manage data streams, security services, and applications. Clients can use a web browser to obtain this information at the main business website or any other site. When a vendor detects an outage at a client site, the vendor immediately retains data until the system is repaired. These suppliers can also offer data filtering and malware threat identification, which
Developing an IT Disaster Recovery Plan
Organizations should create an IT disaster recovery plan. It starts by listing all the hardware, software, and data, including servers, desktops, laptops, and wireless devices. Next, your DR plan should include a reliable data backup plan to protect all critical data.
Identify the hardware needed to execute essential software applications, data, and software. Replicating and reimaging new gear will be made more accessible by using standardized hardware. Make sure there are enough copies of the program software to allow for re-installation on other pieces of equipment. Give hardware and software restoration priority.
The business continuity strategy should include documentation of the IT disaster recovery plan. Check the plan’s effectiveness from time to time.
Data Backup
Businesses produce a lot of data, and data files are constantly updated. Hardware failure, human mistakes, hacking, and malware are just a few ways that data can be lost, distorted, hacked, or stolen. Data loss or corruption could cause severe company disruption.
Data backup and recovery should be an essential component of both the business continuity strategy and the IT DR plan. Choosing what data to back up, establishing hardware and software backup methods, scheduling and carrying out backups, and frequently verifying that data has been accurately backed up are the first steps in creating a data backup strategy.
Developing the Data Backup Plan
Identify desktop, laptop, servers, and cloud data that you must be protected along with physical records and information. The strategy should involve routine backups to specialized and isolated backup servers with certified immutable copies and airgap or virtual airgap protection. For physical records, establish a routine to scan paper documents into digital formats so you can back them up alongside other digital data.
Options for Data Backup
Businesses may effectively back up their data using tapes, cartridges, and large-capacity USB drives with integrated data backup software. The plan should cover the frequency of backups, the security of the backups, and safe off-site storage. Of course, backups must be kept in secure storage, much like the original data.
Numerous providers offer online data backup services, including “cloud” storage. For companies with internet access, this is a practical solution. The client-server or computer’s software is automatically backed up.
You must schedule the backup frequency and interval to ensure your exposure to data loss is within your business tolerances. The recovery point objective, essentially the amount of data you can lose, should be determined by the business impact analysis. The BIA should also assess the likelihood of lost data. Finally, data restoration timeframes, known as the recovery time objectives, need to be verified and measured against the goals for IT and business.