Put Your Disaster Recovery Plan to the Test

In a recent global survey conducted by Dimensional Research, 95% of IT decision-makers reported that their companies have disaster recovery plans. However, only 24% said their plans are up-to-date, well-documented and tested often. Having a plan without disaster recovery testing is a recipe for … well … disaster!

A disaster recovery test plan should document a structured approach for regaining access to critical systems, applications and data in the event of outages that disrupt operations. It’s not a one-time project, but a continuous and evolving process. Plans must evolve to address frequent changes in technology, business processes and operational requirements. Failure to do so increases the risk of downtime and data loss during an outage.

More than two-thirds of organizations forced to activate their plans have issues with the recovery process, according to a survey by Janco Associates. Common issues cited by respondents include errors in the plan (65%), outdated plans (48%), lost passwords (37%) and poor documentation (12%).

In navigating the complexities of disaster recovery, a well-structured test plan stands as the cornerstone of preparedness. In order to ensure smooth execution and comprehensive validation, knowing how to best handle your disaster recovery test plan is nothing short of essential. With this in mind, let's delve into some expert strategies and key considerations for optimal disaster recovery preparedness.

How to Best Handle a Disaster Recovery Test Plan 

1. Plan Reviews

• These evaluations focus on the documentation, policies, and procedures outlined in the plan. The plan owner and other key stakeholders thoroughly examine the plan’s contents to ensure it is comprehensive, up-to-date and aligns with your organization’s current infrastructure and priorities. This type of testing is invaluable for identifying gaps, inconsistencies or outdated information within the plan.

2. Engage Stakeholders

• Speaking of key stakeholders, involve key stakeholders from various departments within your organization in the planning and execution of the disaster recovery test plan. This ensures buy-in across teams and promotes collaboration in addressing potential issues and refining recovery strategies. We encourage you to foster a culture of awareness and preparedness throughout the organization, emphasizing the importance of disaster recovery planning and testing.

Only 24% of businesses keep their disaster recovery plans up-to-date and test often.

3. Undergo Tabletop Exercises

• These tests are designed to evaluate a plan through scenario-based discussions and problem-solving. Key personnel from various departments should gather to role-play their responses to hypothetical disaster scenarios, discussing their individual responsibilities, communication strategies and decision-making processes. These exercises test not only the technical aspects of the recovery plan but also the coordination, decision-making and problem-solving skills of the team members. This helps organizations identify weaknesses, improve coordination and enhance their overall disaster recovery preparedness without the need for actual system testing.

4. Run Simulation Tests

• This is the most comprehensive and rigorous form of a disaster recovery test plan. It involves simulating a real disaster scenario, such as a data center outage, a cyberattack or a natural disaster. Simulation tests assess the entire recovery process, including backup systems, recovery sites and cloud resources. They go beyond tabletop exercises by actively testing the technical aspects of the recovery plan, including failover processes, data synchronization, application recovery and resource allocation.
• As you’re doing so, design a variety of testing scenarios that simulate different disaster scenarios, such as hardware failures, cyberattacks, natural disasters, or human error. Test both partial and complete system failures to evaluate the effectiveness of your recovery procedures in various situations. If you know one thing about the world of IT management, you know it doesn’t stay the same for long. It’s also worth noting that you should establish a regular schedule for conducting disaster recovery tests, considering the evolving nature of your IT infrastructure and potential changes in risk factors. Regular testing ensures that your recovery procedures remain up-to-date and effective in mitigating emerging threats.

5. Meticulously Document Processes and Procedures

• Document detailed step-by-step procedures for executing the disaster recovery plan. Include contact information for key personnel, recovery tasks, escalation procedures, and any other relevant information. This documentation serves as a crucial reference during testing and actual disaster events.

How GDS Can Help with a Disaster Recovery Plan

Regular testing and revisions are essential for maintaining resilience during unexpected disasters or disruptions. However, staffing and budget limitations often lead organizations to bypass this critical process. GDS can help customers develop disaster recovery plans and conduct different testing scenarios to evaluate the effectiveness of existing strategies. We can also provide guidance on evolving technologies and industry best practices to ensure the plan addresses continually changing conditions.

How Global Data Systems Can Help with a Disaster Recovery Plan

Regular testing and revisions are essential for maintaining resilience during unexpected disasters or disruptions. However, staffing and budget limitations often lead organizations to bypass this critical process. Global Data Systems can help customers develop disaster recovery plans and conduct different testing scenarios to evaluate the effectiveness of existing strategies. We can also provide guidance on evolving technologies and industry best practices to ensure the plan addresses continually changing conditions. Our dedication to our clients is one reason we have been recognized on the renowned 2024 Tech Elite 250 List. This means we rank amongst North America’s top solution providers with the highest attained certifications and specializations to support clients in the areas of infrastructure, cloud, and security.

Benefits of Managed IT Services from Global Data Systems

In navigating the intricacies of disaster recovery planning, strategic guidance is essential. At Global Data Systems, we offer managed IT services and are committed to helping you not only solve your technology-related business problems but also fortify your resilience through comprehensive disaster recovery strategies. By incorporating best practices such as defining clear objectives, engaging stakeholders, and regular testing, we ensure that your organization is well-prepared to handle any potential disaster scenario. 

With reliable connectivity solutions, around-the-clock support, and streamlined billing, we provide the comprehensive support you need to navigate the complexities of disaster recovery with confidence. If you’re interested in learning more, schedule a discovery call with our team to learn what our managed IT services can do to empower your organization.