Testing Your Plan

One of the biggest difficulties that organizations face is testing and exercising their business continuity plans. Because it is perceived to be expensive and time-consuming, plan testing is simply not done by many companies. What is often overlooked is the fact that testing the plan could be the only thing between it working when it's needed and failure. Testing doesn't have to be an overwhelming task... see articles below for some ideas on how you can do it.

As plan testing matures, there are some notable trends in how it's conducted. (Item #1)     Worldwide, as many as 50% of businesses do not test their BC plans; this survey done in Australia reveals typical results. (Item #2)     Don't forget to make sure you test employees' remote access to critical applications in case no one can get to the office. (Item #3)    

The benefits of testing and training far outweigh the cost. (Item #4)     Several types of training are completely doable by almost any business. (Item #5)     Are you ready for a disaster if it happens to your data center? (Item #6)    

As always, we look forward to hearing your comments & insights regarding business continuity. If you have a topic you'd like us to cover, email me at [email protected].

Bob Mellinger, President
Attainium Corp

1. Trends in business continuity plan testing and exercising

The most notable change in the crisis management environment is the revolution in instant multi-media communications channels and the resultant need for firms to be able to demonstrate that they are both on top of the problem and can communicate effectively in a way that takes account of the public and stakeholder 'mood'. As a result, savvy organizations are looking at new ways and methods to scrutinize, test and validate their business continuity plans.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature0857.html

2. Enough is enough...

Recently Continuity Central highlighted a report from the Australian National Audit Office which found that over 25 percent of 26 critical Australian government agencies did not test business continuity plans as part of normal business practice. Business continuity managers should be shocked by such a failure, since an untested business continuity plan or strategy may be worthless. It may not be: but until it is tested its efficacy is unknown.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature0896.html

3. Remote Business Continuity Plan Testing

After this planning phase is complete, the next step is to be sure that all employees can perform their business function responsibilities while working remotely. In order to successfully validate this objective, employees should perform a live test of their required applications from their homes or alternate work sites. Testing should include the following broad aspects: validating communication procedures, accessing all necessary applications, and overall ability to continue business operations remotely.
http://www.eci.com/blog/111-remote-business-continuity-plan-testing.html

4. How to Test a Business Continuity Plan

Although a full interruption test of a business continuity plan takes time, effort, and money to complete, its benefits outweigh its cost. Testing the plan helps determine its feasibility, verifies backup facility compatibility, ensures the procedures for various continuity teams work separately and in conjunction with one another, identifies deficiencies and trains personnel.
http://paperworknightmare.com/2011/02/how-to-test-a-business-continuity-plan/

5. How to Train Within a Business Continuity Plan

To continue operating your business or to restore operations quickly, ensure your staff can execute the plan. Schedule training exercises within your business continuity plan to maximize awareness. Three types of training (plan review, role-playing activities and simulated dry runs) validate your business continuity plan. Plan to run training events at least once a year or more if your business conditions change more frequently.
http://smallbusiness.chron.com/train-within-business-continuity-plan-17046.html

6. Test Your Disaster Recovery Plan: A Few Steps Today Will Save Your Data Center Tomorrow

No data center is exempt from disaster. The truth is disasters happen all the time, caused by such things as human error, system breakdowns, and natural disasters. Worst of all, you never know if or when it will happen to you. Part of being ready for a disaster in the enterprise is knowing how to test a disaster plan and also how often you should test it. Here are a few suggestions to help you prepare for when disaster strikes.
http://www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/P3221/21p21/21p21.asp&guid=