Overview of the Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Policy
A BCDR policy is designed to ensure that an organization can continue to operate during and after a disaster or disruption. It outlines the processes and procedures that need to be followed to minimize the impact on operations and to restore normal service as quickly and efficiently as possible. The policy exists to address the need for a structured approach to identifying potential threats, protecting critical processes, and ensuring the organization's survival.
Here are the key points that need to be included in a BCDR policy:
Business Continuity Plan
A formal document that outlines the approach to maintain operations and information security during a disruption.Planning Contents
Identification of responsibilities, business continuity processes, and acceptable levels of loss.Plan Roles and Responsibilities
Clear definition of who is responsible for executing each part of the business continuity plan.Plan Ownership
Appointment of a plan owner to oversee regular reviews and updates.Plan Distribution
Ensuring that key personnel have access to the business continuity plans.Plan Storage
Secure and remote storage of the business continuity plans.Plan Security Requirements
Addressing specific information security requirements within the plan.Critical Business Processes
Identification of essential business processes that require continuity measures.Identifying Events
Recognizing events that can cause business interruptions and planning accordingly.Risk Assessments
Annual assessments to identify and prioritize risks against business objectives.Risk Assessment Results
Using risk assessment outcomes to develop and implement a continuity strategy.Integrated Security
Ensuring that critical business processes are integrated with information security management.Business Impact Analysis
Annual analysis to evaluate potential consequences of disruptions and prioritize recovery operations.System Changes
Addressing business continuity during system changes management.Temporary Operational Procedures
Documentation of interim procedures until recovery and restoration are complete.Contingency Program
A documented program that outlines recovery objectives and priorities.Alternative Site Agreements
Agreements with third-party services for alternative processing and storage sites.Alternate Site Distances
Ensuring alternative sites are sufficiently distant from the primary facility.Emergency Power and Telecommunications
Availability of emergency services at the main site.Alternate Telecommunications
Establishing separate telecommunications services with priority provisions.Emergency and Fallback Procedures
Documented emergency procedures and plans for business process owners.Service Provider Fallback Arrangements
Fallback arrangements for technical services documented by service providers.New Requirements
Updating emergency and fallback procedures when new requirements are identified.Restoration
Restoring operations and information availability without compromising security.Backups
Regular backups and testing of media and restoration procedures.Backup Definitions
Formal documentation of backup requirements for each critical system.Backup Schedule
Regular incremental and full backups to separate media.Sensitive Data
Ensuring sensitive data is backed up in an encrypted format.Automated Tools
Use of tools to track all backups.Backup Testing
Testing backups for reliability and integrity initially and annually.BYOD Backup Roles
Clear roles and responsibilities for data backup on personal devices.Third-Party Backup Services
Service level agreements with third-party backup providers including detailed protections.Backup Storage
Secure and remote storage of backups at a location distant from the primary site.Backup Copies
Maintenance of backup copies to ensure future availability and integrity.Backup Retention
Storing multiple generations of backups offsite.Server Movement
Availability of critical data copies before server relocation.Backup Storage Logging
Logging of all backups including details such as name, date, time, and action.Inventory Records
Maintaining records for backup copies, including content description and location.
The BCDR policy is not just a document; it's a comprehensive approach that involves the entire organization. It requires commitment from top management down to every employee to ensure that when disaster strikes, the organization is ready to respond effectively.
In conclusion, a Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery policy is an indispensable part of an organization's risk management strategy. It provides a roadmap for maintaining operations during adverse events and ensures that the organization can recover swiftly, minimizing the impact on stakeholders and preserving the organization's reputation and financial stability.
For those interested in implementing a BCDR policy, we have a template available for purchase that can be tailored to your organization's specific needs.
