Disaster Planning

Disaster Planning – Are you Ready?

Basic disaster planning methodology includes detailed plans on how your organization will deal with possible disaster scenarios.  These scenarios include anything that could bring down your network, from fires to floods to terrorism. The basic disaster planning work session answers the following four questions in as much detail as possible:

·         What systems must be functional within what time frame? 

·   What are you most important systems?

·   Who are your most important users?

·   Recognize that some system will not be brought back online immediately

·         How will these systems be brought back on-line?

·   Will the equipment be rented or purchased?

·   Where are the backup tapes stored?

·   Who will complete the work?

·   Where will these systems be housed?

·   What are the required insurance claim procedures?

·         Where will the employees work?

·         Who handles which aspects of the rebuild?

Once these questions are answered and documented, current procedures should be examined and modified to ensure that they comply with the plan.  Finally, the most important aspect of this process is to repeat the planning meeting on a regular basis, say once a year on the company anniversary.  The plan, and accompanying procedures, should be reviewed to ensure readiness