subject: 5 Steps For Disaster Recovery [print this page] Disaster recovery process is recovering from disruption. This process starts after the disaster and is time consuming if you do not have a plan in place, resulting in discontinuity of your business and incurring losses. The event may be external or internal failure of computer systems. The attitude among most business executives and entrepreneurs is to neglect "disaster recovery" plans assuming it to be an unlikely event.
On the other hand, most people to face challenges in business and any disruptive event like natural calamity, death or departure of key personnel or supply chain problems put "business continuity planning" in place. A comprehensive business continuity plan helps you run the business smoothly and continue making money. In spite of these differences, the two terms of "business continuity" (BC) and "disaster recovery" (DR) are conjoined under the acronym BC/DR on account of the many common attributes.
Different businesses require different types of plans and it depend on the size, extent and the way the business is run by the company. The communication and feed back among employees are vital. In performing the business continuity solutions, the important point are that the physical, IT and human resource plans are to be converged, because developing above plans in separation will hamper communication. Continual communication is crucial.
The first step for any calamity recovery solutions is to do a business impact analysis (BIA). The BIA helps identify the business's most fundamental systems and vital processes and the effect it will have in case of an outage. It also helps evaluate the expenses to be incurred by a company to restore the business process and how much extra has to be spent to restore the process quickly. Restoration on priority and opting the priority is essential for business.
The second step is to grow, practice and put a contingency plan in place. Back up employees has to be trained and kept in alert to take over in case of contingency.
The third important step is disaster communication plans. In an emergency situation, the 'business continuity solution' plan should have in place crisis communication plans for top executives and offsite crisis meeting places. Practice crisis communication with employees, customers and others related to speed up communication. In addition invest in alternate means of communication.
The fourth step is to make the business continuity exercises sensible enough so that employees react confidently in a crisis. Stay in touch with local emergency units.
Lastly, review the performance of your personnel and technology during each disaster recovery test, seal the loopholes if any, and work towards stable improvement.
