Disaster Recovery Strategy - What should be included?

 A Disaster Recovery Strategy is a documented plan that outlines the procedures and actions to be taken to restore IT systems, infrastructure, and operational services after a significant incident or disaster. It focuses on minimizing downtime, recovering data, and restoring normal operations as quickly as possible.

i. Objective: The objective of the disaster recovery strategy is to ensure the timely recovery of critical IT systems and operational services in the event of a disaster, minimizing the impact on business operations.

ii. Critical Systems and Services: Identify the critical IT systems, applications, and operational services that are essential for business continuity. This includes servers, databases, network infrastructure, communication systems, and key applications.

iii. Recovery Time Objectives (RTO) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPO): Define the acceptable time frame for recovering each system or service (RTO) and the maximum tolerable data loss (RPO) in case of a disaster. For example, the RTO for the email server may be four hours, and the RPO may be one hour.

iv. Backup and Recovery: Establish a robust backup strategy that includes regular backups of critical data, configurations, and system images. Define the backup schedule, retention periods, and storage locations. Implement backup solutions such as offsite storage, cloud backups, or tape backups.

v. Offsite Data Replication: Implement data replication mechanisms to ensure real-time or near-real-time copies of critical data are available at an offsite location. This helps to reduce the RPO and facilitates faster recovery.

vi. Alternate Site and Infrastructure: Identify and prepare alternate sites or recovery centers where operations can be shifted temporarily in case the primary site is inaccessible. Ensure that the alternate site has the necessary infrastructure, connectivity, and equipment to support critical systems and services.

vii. Recovery Procedures: Develop step-by-step procedures for recovering each critical system or service. This should include the sequence of recovery, required configurations, software installation, and any dependencies on other systems.

viii. Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the individuals involved in the recovery process. Assign tasks and responsibilities to IT staff, vendors, and any other relevant stakeholders.

ix. Communication Plan: Establish a communication plan to keep all stakeholders informed during the recovery process. This should include internal teams, management, users, vendors, and customers. Specify the channels, frequency, and content of communication.

x. Testing and Validation: Regularly test the disaster recovery procedures to ensure their effectiveness. Conduct tabletop exercises, simulations, or partial system recoveries to validate the recovery strategy and identify any gaps or issues.

xi. Documentation: Document all aspects of the disaster recovery strategy, including procedures, configurations, contacts, and any changes made during the recovery process. This documentation is crucial for reference during an actual disaster.

xii. Review and Updates: Periodically review and update the disaster recovery strategy based on changes in IT infrastructure, business requirements, or lessons learned from previous incidents. Stay up to date with technological advancements and industry best practices.

One should remember that the disaster recovery strategy should align with the organization's business continuity plan and be regularly reviewed, tested, and updated to ensure its effectiveness in restoring critical systems and services in the face of a disaster.