Search Disaster Recovery
IT Disaster Recovery
Plan Template
BY PAUL KIRVAN, CISA, FBCI
32 page Disaster Recovery template, including:
◊ Directions on how to create a DR plan and understand objectives
◊ Steps to take through the early phase of the incident
◊ Tips for dealing with the media
◊ Actions to take when facing financial and legal issues
ILLUSTRATION: VISUAL GENERATION/GETTY IMAGES
All Rights Reserved, © 2021, TechTarget Page 2 of 36
Revision History
REVISION
DATE
NAME
DESCRIPTION
Original 1.0
Table of Contents
Information Technology Statement of Intent ......................................................................................................... 3
Policy Statement ................................................................................................................................................... 3
Objectives ............................................................................................................................................................. 3
Key Personnel Contact Info .................................................................................................................................. 4
Notification Calling Tree .................................................................................................................................... 5
External Contacts ................................................................................................................................................. 6
External Contacts Calling Tree ......................................................................................................................... 9
1 Plan Overview ............................................................................................................................................. 10
1.1 Updates ............................................................................................................................................... 10
1.2 Documentation Storage ...................................................................................................................... 10
1.3 Backup Strategy .................................................................................................................................. 10
1.4 Risk Management ............................................................................................................................... 10
2 Emergency Response ................................................................................................................................. 12
2.1 Alert, Escalation and Plan Invocation.................................................................................................. 12
2.2 Disaster Recovery Team .................................................................................................................... 12
2.3 Emergency Alert, Escalation and DRP Activation ............................................................................... 12
3 Media .......................................................................................................................................................... 14
3.1 Media Contact ..................................................................................................................................... 14
3.2 Media Strategies ................................................................................................................................. 14
3.3 Media Team ........................................................................................................................................ 14
3.4 Rules for Dealing with Media .............................................................................................................. 14
4 Insurance .................................................................................................................................................... 15
5 Financial and Legal Issues ......................................................................................................................... 16
5.1 Financial Assessment ......................................................................................................................... 16
5.2 Financial Requirements ...................................................................................................................... 16
5.3 Legal Actions ...................................................................................................................................... 16
6 DRP Exercising ........................................................................................................................................... 17
Appendix A – Technology Disaster Recovery Plan Templates .......................................................................... 18
Disaster Recovery Plan for <System One> .................................................................................................... 18
Disaster Recovery Plan for <System Two> .................................................................................................... 21
Disaster Recovery Plan for Local Area Network (LAN) .................................................................................. 23
Disaster Recovery Plan for Wide Area Network (WAN) ................................................................................. 25
Disaster Recovery Plan for Remote Connectivity ........................................................................................... 27
Disaster Recovery Plan for Voice Communications ....................................................................................... 29
Appendix B – Suggested Forms ......................................................................................................................... 31
Damage Assessment Form ............................................................................................................................ 31
Management of DR Activities Form ................................................................................................................ 31
Disaster Recovery Event Recording Form ..................................................................................................... 31
Disaster Recovery Activity Report Form ......................................................................................................... 32
Mobilizing the Disaster Recovery Team Form ................................................................................................ 32
Mobilizing the Business Recovery Team Form............................................................................................... 33
Monitoring Business Recovery Task Progress Form ...................................................................................... 34
Preparing the Business Recovery Report Form ............................................................................................. 34
Communications Form .................................................................................................................................... 35
Returning Recovered Business Operations to Business Unit Leadership ...................................................... 35
Business Process/Function Recovery Completion Form ................................................................................ 35
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Information Technology Statement of Intent
This document delineates our policies and procedures for technology disaster recovery, as well as our
process-level plans for recovering critical technology platforms and the telecommunications infrastructure. This
document summarizes our recommended procedures. In the event of an actual emergency situation,
modifications to this document may be made to ensure the physical safety of our people, our systems, and our
data.
Our mission is to ensure information system uptime, data integrity and availability, local/remote access to
information systems and services, and business continuity.
Policy Statement
Corporate management has approved the following policy statement:
• The company shall develop a comprehensive IT disaster recovery plan.
• A formal risk assessment shall be undertaken to determine the requirements for the disaster recovery plan.
• The disaster recovery plan should cover all essential and critical infrastructure elements, systems and
networks, in accordance with key business activities.
• The disaster recovery plan should be periodically tested in a simulated environment to ensure that it can be
implemented in emergency situations and that the management and staff understand how it is to be
executed.
• All staff must be made aware of the disaster recovery plan and their own respective roles.
• The disaster recovery plan is to be kept up to date to account for changing circumstances.
Objectives
The principal objective of the disaster recovery program is to develop, test and document a well-structured and
easily understood plan that will help the company recover as quickly and effectively as possible from an
unforeseen disaster or emergency that interrupts information systems and business operations. Additional
objectives include ensuring the following:
• all employees must fully understand their duties in implementing the plan;
• operational policies are adhered to within all planned activities;
• the proposed contingency arrangements are cost-effective, and
management must consider implications on other company sites.
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Key Personnel Contact Info
Name, Title
Contact Option
Contact Number
Work
Alternate
Mobile
Home
Email Address
Alternate Email
Work
Alternate
Mobile
Home
Email Address
Alternate Email
Work
Alternate
Mobile
Home
Email Address
Alternate Email
Work
Alternate
Mobile
Home
Email Address
Alternate Email
Work
Alternate
Mobile
Home
Email Address
Alternate Email
Work
Alternate
Mobile
Home
Email Address
Alternate Email
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Notification Calling Tree
Person
Identifying
Incident
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External Contacts
Name, Title
Contact Option
Contact Number
Landlord / Property
Manager
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Power Company
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Telecom Carrier 1
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Telecom Carrier 2
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Cloud Service Provider 1
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Cybersecurity Provider 1
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Hardware Supplier 1
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Disaster Recovery Supplier
1
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
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Name, Title
Contact Option
Contact Number
Server Supplier 1
Account Number.
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Workstation Supplier 1
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Office Supplies 1
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Insurance
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Site Security
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Off-Site Storage 1
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Off-Site Storage 2
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
HVAC
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Backup Power Generator
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
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Name, Title
Contact Option
Contact Number
Email Address
Local Hospital
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Company Physician
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Mental Health Professional
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Medical Supplies
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Alternate Office Space 1
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Alternate Office Space 2
Account Number
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
Other
Work
Mobile
Emergency Reporting
Email Address
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External Contacts Calling Tree
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1 Plan Overview
1.1 Updates
It is necessary for the disaster recovery plan updating process to be properly structured and controlled.
Whenever changes are made to the plan they must be fully tested and appropriate amendments should be
made to the training materials. This will involve the use of formalized change control procedures under the
control of the IT Director.
1.2 Documentation Storage
Digital and hard copies of this plan will be stored in secure locations to be defined by the company. Each
member of senior management will be issued a digital and hard copy of this plan to be filed at home. Each
member of the disaster recovery team and the business recovery team will be issued a digital and hard copy of
this plan. A master protected copy will be stored on specific resources established for this purpose.
1.3 Backup Strategy
Key business processes and the agreed backup strategy for each are listed below. The strategy chosen is for
a fully mirrored recovery site at the company’s offices in _____. This strategy entails the maintenance of a fully
mirrored duplicate site which will enable instantaneous switching between the live site (headquarters) and the
backup site. The location of this site will be either at a company location or at a remotely hosted location, such
as a cloud service provider or managed services provider.
KEY BUSINESS PROCESS
BACKUP STRATEGY
IT Operations
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Tech Support - Hardware and Software
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Remote Working
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Cybersecurity Management
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Physical Security
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Email
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Purchasing
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Disaster Recovery
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Data Backup Storage
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Systems Backup
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Finance
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Contracts Administration
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Warehouse & Inventory
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Product Sales
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Maintenance Sales
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Human Resources
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Alternate Work Areas
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Call/Contact Center
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
Website
Fully mirrored recovery site; cloud service
1.4 Risk Management
There are many potential disruptive threats that can occur at any time and affect normal business processes.
We have considered a wide range of potential threats and the results of our deliberations are included in this
section. Each potential environmental disaster or emergency situation has been examined. The focus here is
on the level of business disruption which could arise from each type of disaster.
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Potential disasters have been assessed as follows:
Potential Disaster
Probability
Rating
Impact
Rating
Brief Description Of Potential
Consequences & Remedial Actions
Flood
3
3
All critical equipment is located on 1st Floor;
remote work
Fire
3
2
FM200 suppression system installed in main
computer centers. Fire and smoke detectors
on all floors; remote work
Tornado
5
2
Loss of building; remote work; secure new
location
Electrical storms
5
2
Loss of power; remote work
Act of terrorism
5
3
Damage to building and resources; remote
work
Act of sabotage
5
3
Damage to building and resources; remote
work
Electrical power failure
3
2
Redundant uninterruptible power supply
(UPS) array together with auto standby
generator that is tested weekly & remotely
monitored 24/7. UPSs also remotely
monitored; remote work
Loss of communications
network services
4
2
Two diversely routed T1 trunks into building.
WAN redundancy, voice network resilience;
remote work
Probability: 1=Very High, 5=Very Low Impact: 1=Total destruction, 5=Minor annoyance
All Rights Reserved, © 2021, TechTarget Page 12 of 36
2 Emergency Response
2.1 Alert, Escalation and Plan Invocation
2.1.1 Plan Triggering Events
Key trigger issues at headquarters that would lead to activation of the DR plan are:
• Total loss of all communications
• Total loss of power
• Flooding of the premises
• Loss of the building
• Need to evacuate the building
2.1.2 Assembly Points
Where the premises need to be evacuated, the invocation plan identifies two evacuation assembly points:
• Primary – Far end of main parking lot
• Alternate – Parking lot of company across the street
2.1.3 Activation of Emergency Response Team
When an incident occurs the emergency response team (ERT) must be activated. The ERT will then decide
the extent to which the DR plan must be invoked. All employees must be issued a quick reference card
containing ERT contact details to be used in the event of a disaster. Responsibilities of the ERT are to:
• respond immediately to a potential disaster and call emergency services;
• assess the extent of the disaster and its impact on the business and data center;
• determine if an evacuation is needed;
• decide which elements of the DR plan should be activated;
• establish and manage disaster recovery team to maintain vital services and return to normal operations,
and
• ensure employees are notified and allocate responsibilities and activities as required.
2.2 Disaster Recovery Team
The disaster recovery team will be contacted and assembled by the ERT. This team's responsibilities are to:
• establish facilities for an emergency level of service within two business hours;
• activate access to IT services for remote working within two hours;
• restore key services within four business hours of the incident;
• recover to business as usual within 8-24 hours after the incident;
• coordinate activities with disaster recovery team and first responders, and
• report to the emergency response team.
2.3 Emergency Alert, Escalation and DRP Activation
This policy and procedure has been established to ensure that, in the event of a disaster or crisis, personnel
will have a clear understanding of who should be contacted. Procedures have been addressed to ensure that
communications can be quickly established while activating disaster recovery.
The DR plan will rely principally on key members of management and staff who will provide the technical and
management skills necessary to achieve a smooth technology and business recovery. Suppliers of critical
goods and services will continue to support recovery of business operations as the company returns to normal
operating mode.
2.3.1 Emergency Alert
When using emergency alert systems, the person discovering the incident will call a member of the Emergency
Response Team in the order listed:
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Emergency Response Team
• _________
• _________
• _________
If not available try:
• _________
• _________
The emergency response team is responsible for activating the DR plan for disasters identified in this plan, as
well as in the event of any other occurrence that affects the company’s capability to perform normally.
One of the tasks during the early stages of the emergency is to notify the disaster recovery team that an
emergency has occurred. The notification will request disaster recovery team members to assemble at the site
of the problem and will involve sufficient information to have this request effectively communicated. The
business recovery team will consist of senior representatives from the main business departments. The
business recovery team leader will be a senior member of the company's management team, and will be
responsible for taking overall charge of the process and ensuring that the company returns to normal working
operations as early as possible.
2.3.2 DR Procedures for Management
Members of the management team will keep a hard copy of the names and contact numbers of each employee
in their departments. In addition, management team members will have a hard copy of the company’s disaster
recovery and business continuity plans on file in their homes in the event that the headquarters building is
inaccessible, unusable, or destroyed. Management should be prepared to order employees to work remotely.
2.3.3 Contact with Employees
Managers will serve as the focal points for their departments, while designated employees will call other
employees to discuss the crisis/disaster and the company’s immediate plans. Employees who cannot reach
staff on their call list are advised to call the staff member’s emergency contact to relay information on the
disaster. Employees should be prepared to work remotely if assigned.
2.3.4 Backup Staff
If a manager or staff member designated to contact other staff members is unavailable or incapacitated, the
designated backup staff member will perform notification duties.
2.3.5 Recorded Messages / Updates
For the latest information on the disaster and the organization’s response, staff members can call a toll-free
hotline provided to each employee. This may be provided to them through email, text message or a hard copy
wallet card. Included in messages will be data on the nature of the disaster, assembly sites, and updates on
work resumption.
2.3.6 Alternate Recovery Facilities / Hot Sites
If necessary, an emergency IT recovery facility will be activated and notification will be given via recorded
messages or through communications with managers. Hot site staffing will consist of members of the disaster
recovery team only for the first 24 hours, with other staff members joining at the hot site as necessary. If a
cloud recovery facility has been arranged, it will be activated and placed into service to ensure all mission-
critical systems, applications and data are available.
2.3.7 Personnel and Family Notification
If the incident has resulted in a situation that would cause concern to an employee’s immediate family, such as
hospitalization of injured persons, it will be necessary to notify their immediate family members quickly. If
employees are ordered to go home and work remotely, they should notify family members of that change as
soon as possible.
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3 Media
3.1 Media Contact
Assigned staff will coordinate with the media, working according to guidelines that have been previously
approved and issued for dealing with communications during and after the event.
3.2 Media Strategies
1. Avoid adverse publicity
2. Take advantage of opportunities for useful publicity
3. Have answers to the following basic questions:
• What happened?
• How did it happen?
• What are you going to do about it?
3.3 Media Team
• ____________________________________________
• ____________________________________________
• ____________________________________________
3.4 Rules for Dealing with Media
Only the media team is permitted direct contact with electronic and print media; anyone else contacted should
refer callers or in-person media representatives to the media team. Plans for social media use should be
developed and distributed to all employees.
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4 Insurance
As part of the company’s disaster recovery and business continuity strategies, a number of insurance policies
have been put in place. These include errors and omissions, directors & officers liability, general liability, and
business interruption insurance.
If insurance-related assistance is required following an emergency out of normal business hours, please
contact: ____________________________________________
Policy Name
Coverage
Type
Coverage
Period
Amount Of
Coverage
Person
Responsible
For Coverage
Next
Renewal
Date
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5 Financial and Legal Issues
5.1 Financial Assessment
The emergency response team shall prepare an initial assessment of the effect of the incident on the financial
affairs of the company. The assessment should cover:
• Loss of financial documents
• Loss of revenue
• Theft of check books, credit cards, etc.
• Loss of cash
5.2 Financial Requirements
The immediate financial needs of the company must be addressed. These can include:
• Cash flow position
• Temporary borrowing capability
• Upcoming payments for taxes, payroll taxes, Social Security
• Availability of company credit cards to pay for supplies and services required post-disaster
5.3 Legal Actions
The company legal department and emergency response team will jointly review the aftermath of the incident
and decide whether there may be legal actions resulting from the event, such as the possibility of claims by or
against the company for regulatory violations.
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6 DRP Exercising
Disaster recovery plan exercises, especially if remote working by employees is indicated, are an essential part
of the plan development process. Plan exercises ensure that emergency teams are familiar with their
assignments and, more importantly, are confident in their capabilities, and that the technologies are available
and operational.
Successful DR plans launch into action smoothly and effectively when they are needed. This will only happen if
everyone with a role to play in the plan has rehearsed the role one or more times. The plan should also be
validated by simulating the circumstances within which it has to work and seeing what happens.
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Appendix A – Technology Disaster Recovery Plan
Templates
Disaster Recovery Plan for <System One>
SYSTEM
OVERVIEW
PRODUCTION SERVER
Location:
Server Model:
Operating System:
CPUs:
Memory:
Total Disk:
System Handle:
System Serial #:
DNS Entry:
IP Address:
Other:
HOT SITE SERVER
Provide details
CLOUD SITE SERVER
Provide details
APPLICATIONS
(Use bold for Hot/Cloud Site)
ASSOCIATED SERVERS
KEY CONTACTS
Hardware Vendor
Provide details
System Owners
Provide details
Database Owner
Provide details
Application Owners
Provide details
Software Vendors
Provide details
Cloud Service Vendors
Provide details
Offsite Storage
Provide details
BACKUP STRATEGY FOR
SYSTEM ONE
Daily
Provide details
Monthly
Provide details
Quarterly
Provide details
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SYSTEM ONE
DISASTER RECOVERY
PROCEDURE
Scenario 1
Total Loss of Data
Provide details
Scenario 2
Total Loss of Hardware
Provide details
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ADDENDUM
CONTACTS
File Systems <date>
File System as of <date>
Minimal file systems to
be created and restored
from backup:
<List>
Filesystem kbytes Used Avail %used Mounted on
<Provide details>
Other critical files to
modify
<Provide details>
Necessary directories to
create
<Provide details>
Critical files to restore
<Provide details>
Secondary files to
restore
<Provide details>
Other files to restore
<Provide details>
Primary data backup
<Provide details>
Alternate data backup
<Provide details>
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Disaster Recovery Plan for <System Two>
SYSTEM
OVERVIEW
PRODUCTION
SERVER
Location:
Server Model:
Operating System:
CPUs:
Memory:
Total Disk:
System Handle:
System Serial #:
DNS Entry:
IP Address:
Other:
HOT SITE SERVER
Provide details
CLOUD SITE SERVER
Provide details
APPLICATIONS
(Use bold for Cloud/Hot
Site)
ASSOCIATED SERVERS
KEY CONTACTS
Hardware Vendor
Provide details
System Owners
Provide details
Database Owner
Provide details
Application Owners
Provide details
Software Vendors
Provide details
Cloud Service Vendors
Provide details
Offsite Storage
Provide details
BACKUP STRATEGY
for SYSTEM TWO
Daily
Provide details
Monthly
Provide details
Quarterly
Provide details
SYSTEM TWO
DISASTER RECOVERY
PROCEDURE
Scenario 1
Total Loss of Data
Provide details
Scenario 2
Total Loss of HW
Provide details
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ADDENDUM
CONTACTS
File Systems <date>
File System as of
<date>
Minimal file
systems to be
created and
restored from
backup:
<List>
Filesystem kbytes Used Avail % used Mounted on
<Provide details>
Other critical files to
modify
<Provide details>
Necessary
directories to create
<Provide details>
Critical files to
restore
<Provide details>
Secondary files to
restore
<Provide details>
Other files to
restore
<Provide details>
Primary data
backup
<Provide details>
Alternate data
backup
<Provide details>
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Disaster Recovery Plan for Local Area Network (LAN)
SYSTEM
OVERVIEW
SERVER
Location:
Server Model:
Operating System:
CPUs:
Memory:
Total Disk:
System Handle:
System Serial #:
DNS Entry:
IP Address:
Other:
CLOUD SITE SERVICE
Provide details
APPLICATIONS
(Use bold for Cloud
Service)
ASSOCIATED SERVERS
KEY CONTACTS
Hardware Vendor
Provide details
System Owners
Provide details
Database Owner
Provide details
Application Owners
Provide details
Software Vendors
Provide details
Cloud Service Vendors
Provide details
Offsite Storage
Provide details
BACKUP STRATEGY
for LANS
Daily
Provide details
Monthly
Provide details
Quarterly
Provide details
LANS DISASTER
RECOVERY
PROCEDURE
Scenario 1
Total Loss of LAN1
Provide details
Scenario 2
Total Loss of LAN2
Provide details
All Rights Reserved, © 2021, TechTarget Page 24 of 36
ADDENDUM
CONTACTS
File Systems <date>
File System as of
<date>
Minimal file
systems to be
created and
restored from
backup:
<List>
Filesystem kbytes Used Avail %used Mounted on
<Provide details>
Other critical files to
modify
<Provide details>
Necessary
directories to create
<Provide details>
Critical files to
restore
<Provide details>
Secondary files to
restore
<Provide details>
Other files to
restore
<Provide details>
Primary data
backup
<Provide details>
Alternate data
backup
<Provide details>
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Disaster Recovery Plan for Wide Area Network (WAN)
NETWORK
OVERVIEW
EQUIPMENT
Location:
Device Type:
Model No.:
Technical Specifications:
Network Interfaces:
Power Requirements:
System Serial #:
DNS Entry:
IP Address:
Other:
HOT SITE EQUIPMENT
Provide details
MANAGED SERVICE PROVIDER
EQUIPMENT
Provide details
CLOUD EQUIPMENT
Provide details
SPECIAL SERVICES
SPECIALIZED DEVICES
KEY CONTACTS
Hardware Vendor
Provide details
System Owners
Provide details
Database Owner
Provide details
Application Owners
Provide details
Software Vendors
Provide details
Offsite Storage
Provide details
Network Services
Provide details
BACKUP STRATEGY
for SYSTEM TWO
Daily
Provide details
Monthly
Provide details
Quarterly
Provide details
SYSTEM TWO
DISASTER RECOVERY
PROCEDURE
Scenario 1
Total Loss of WAN
Provide details
Scenario 2
Total Loss of WAN
Hardware
Provide details
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ADDENDUM
CONTACTS
Support Systems <date>
Support system
<Provide details>
Critical network
assets
<Provide details>
Critical interfaces
<Provide details>
Critical files to
restore
<Provide details>
Critical network
services to restore
<Provide details>
Cloud network
services
<Provide details>
Other services
<Provide details>
All Rights Reserved, © 2021, TechTarget Page 27 of 36
Disaster Recovery Plan for Remote Connectivity
SYSTEM
OVERVIEW
EQUIPMENT
Location:
Device Type:
Model No.:
Technical Specifications:
Network Interfaces:
Power Requirements:
System Serial #:
DNS Entry:
IP Address:
Other:
CLOUD SERVICES
Provide details
SPECIAL SERVICES
Provide details
MOBILE DEVICES
Provide details
KEY CONTACTS
Remote Software Vendor
Provide details
Workstation/Laptop
Vendors
Provide details
Remote Application
Owners
Provide details
Remote Software
Vendors
Provide details
Cloud Services
Provide details
Network Services
Provide details
BACKUP STRATEGY
for REMOTE ACCESS
Daily
Provide details
Monthly
Provide details
Quarterly
Provide details
REMOTE ACCESS
DISASTER RECOVERY
PROCEDURE
Scenario 1
Total Loss of Internet
Provide details
Scenario 2
Total Failure of Remote
Access Services
Provide details
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ADDENDUM
CONTACTS
Support Systems <date>
Remote systems
<Provide details>
Internet access
<Provide details>
Critical interfaces
<Provide details>
Remote software
<Provide details>
Other network
services to restore
<Provide details>
Cloud services
<Provide details>
Other services
<Provide details>
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Disaster Recovery Plan for Voice Communications
SYSTEM
OVERVIEW
EQUIPMENT
Location:
Device Type:
Model No.:
Technical Specifications:
Network Interfaces:
Power Requirements:
System Serial #:
DNS Entry:
IP Address:
Other:
CLOUD EQUIPMENT
Provide details
SPECIAL APPLICATIONS
Provide details
MOBILE DEVICES
Provide details
KEY CONTACTS
Hardware Vendor
Provide details
System Owners
Provide details
Database Owner
Provide details
Application Owners
Provide details
Software Vendors
Provide details
Offsite Storage
Provide details
Network Services
Provide details
Cloud Voice Services
Provide details
BACKUP STRATEGY
for SYSTEM TWO
Daily
Provide details
Monthly
Provide details
Quarterly
Provide details
SYSTEM TWO
DISASTER RECOVERY
PROCEDURE
Scenario 1
Total Loss of Switch
Provide details
Scenario 2
Total Loss of Network
Provide details
All Rights Reserved, © 2021, TechTarget Page 30 of 36
ADDENDUM
CONTACTS
Support Systems <date>
Voice system
<Provide details>
Critical network
assets
<Provide details>
Critical interfaces
<Provide details>
Critical files to
restore
<Provide details>
Critical network
services to restore
<Provide details>
Cloud voice
services
<Provide details>
Other services
<Provide details>
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Appendix B – Suggested Forms
Damage Assessment Form
Key Business
Process Affected
Description Of Problem
Extent Of Damage
_____________
Management of DR Activities Form
During the disaster recovery process all activities will be determined using a standard structure. Where
practical, this plan will need to be updated on a regular basis throughout the disaster recovery period. All
actions that occur during this phase will need to be recorded.
Activity Name:
Reference Number:
Brief Description:
Commencement
Date/Time
Completion
Date/Time
Resources
Involved
In Charge
Disaster Recovery Event Recording Form
All key events that occur during the disaster recovery phase must be recorded. An event log shall be
maintained by the disaster recovery team leader. This event log should be started at the commencement of the
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emergency and a copy of the log passed on to the business recovery team once the initial dangers have been
controlled.
The following event log should be completed by the disaster recovery team leader to record all key events
during disaster recovery, until such time as responsibility is handed over to the business recovery team.
Description of Disaster:
Commencement Date:
Date/Time DR Team Mobilized:
Activities Undertaken by
DR Team
Date and
Time
Outcome
Follow-On Action
Required
Disaster Recovery Team's Work Completed: <Date>
Event Log Passed to Business Recovery Team: <Date>
_________________
Disaster Recovery Activity Report Form
On completion of the initial disaster recovery response the DRT leader should prepare a report on the activities
undertaken. The report should contain information on the emergency, who was notified and when, action taken
by members of the DRT together with outcomes arising from those actions. The report will also contain an
assessment of the impact to normal business operations.
The report should be given to business recovery team leader, with a copy to senior management, as
appropriate. A disaster recovery report will be prepared by the DRT leader on completion of the initial disaster
recovery response. In addition to the business recovery team leader, the report will be distributed to senior
management
The report will include the following:
• A description of the emergency or incident
• People notified of the emergency
• Dates people were notified
• Action taken by members of the disaster recovery team
• Outcomes arising from actions taken
• An assessment of the impact to normal business operations
• Assessment of the effectiveness of the business continuity plan and lessons learned
• Lessons learned
__________
Mobilizing the Disaster Recovery Team Form
Following an emergency requiring recovery of technology infrastructure assets, the disaster recovery team
should be notified of the situation and placed on standby.
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The format shown below can be used for recording the activation of the DR team once the work of the damage
assessment and emergency response teams has been completed.
Description of Emergency:
Date Occurred:
Date Work of Disaster Recovery Team Completed:
Name of
Team
Member
Contact
Details
Contacted
On (Time /
Date)
By Whom
Response
Start Date
Required
Relevant Comments/Specific Instructions Issued
___________
Mobilizing the Business Recovery Team Form
Following an emergency requiring activation of the disaster recovery team, the business recovery team should
be notified of the situation and placed on standby.
The format shown below will be used for recording the activation of the business recovery team once the work
of the disaster recovery team has been completed.
Description of Emergency:
Date Occurred:
Date Work of Business Recovery Team Completed:
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Name of
Team
Member
Contact
Details
Contacted
On (Time /
Date)
By Whom
Response
Start Date
Required
Relevant Comments/Specific Instructions Issued
____________
Monitoring Business Recovery Task Progress Form
The progress of technology and business recovery tasks must be closely monitored during this period of time.
Since difficulties experienced by one group could significantly affect other dependent, tasks it is important to
ensure that each task is adequately resourced and that the efforts required to restore normal business
operations have not been underestimated.
Note: A priority sequence must be identified, although, where possible, activities will be carried out
simultaneously.
Recovery Tasks
(Order of Priority)
Person(s)
Responsible
Completion Date
Milestones
Identified
Other
Relevant
Information
Estimated
Actual
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
___________
Preparing the Business Recovery Report Form
On completion of business recovery activities, the business recovery team leader should prepare a report on
the activities undertaken and completed. The report should contain information on the disruptive event, who
was notified and when, action taken by members of the business recovery team, together with outcomes
arising from those actions.
The report will also contain an assessment of the impact to normal business operations. The report should be
distributed to senior management, as appropriate.
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The contents of the report shall include the following:
• A description of the incident
• People notified of the emergency
• Dates people were notified
• Action taken by the business recovery team
• Outcomes arising from actions taken
• An assessment of the impact to normal business operations
• Problems identified
• Suggestions for enhancing the disaster recovery and/or business continuity plan
• Lessons learned
Communications Form
It is critical during the disaster recovery and business recovery activities that all affected persons and
organizations are kept properly informed. The information given to all parties must be accurate and timely. In
particular, any estimate of the timing to return to normal working operations should be announced with care. It
is also important that only authorized personnel deal with media queries.
Groups of Persons
or Organizations
Affected by
Disruption
Persons Selected To Coordinate Communications
to Affected Persons / Organizations
Name
Position
Contact Details
Customers
Management &
Staff
Suppliers
Media
Stakeholders
Others
____________
Returning Recovered Business Operations to Business Unit Leadership
Once normal business operations have been restored it will be necessary to return the responsibility for
specific operations to the appropriate business unit leader. This process should be formalized in order to
ensure that all parties understand the change in overall responsibility, and the transition to business-as-usual.
It is likely that during the recovery process, overall responsibility may have been assigned to the business
recovery process lead. It is assumed that business unit management will be fully involved throughout the
recovery, but in order for the recovery process to be fully effective, overall responsibility during the recovery
period should probably be with a business recovery process team.
____________
Business Process/Function Recovery Completion Form
The following transition form should be completed and signed by the business recovery team leader and the
responsible business unit leader, for each process recovered.
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A separate form should be used for each recovered business process.
Name Of Business Process
Completion Date of Work Provided by Business
Recovery Team
Date of Transition Back to Business Unit Management
(If different than completion date)
I confirm that the work of the business recovery team has been completed in accordance
with the disaster recovery plan for the above process, and that normal business
operations have been effectively restored.
Business Recovery Team Leader Name:
________________________________________
Signature:
________________________________________________________________
Date: __________________________
(Any relevant comments by the business recovery team leader in connection with the
return of this business process should be made here.)
I confirm that above business process is now acceptable for normal working conditions.
Name:
___________________________________________________________________
Title:
____________________________________________________________________
Signature:
________________________________________________________________
Date: __________________________
