Disaster Recovery Testing: Exercising Your Contingency Plan

Your disaster recovery plan is in place, but as with any plan, you need to test it not only to find holes in the plan, but also confirm the underlying assumptions will work. This is the only book available on this subject and is your guide to the entire testing process. Testing cannot be an afterthought of recovery planning; it must be a powerful, disciplined and efficient implementation tool. This book proves that testing is not an art. It is a science. Despite the ever-evolving nature of business in the global economy and the corresponding increased number of threats to business continuity, this book contains timeless and technology-independent principles from 30 professionals who have contributed their expertise in 36 detailed chapters. Each author provides checklists and suggest topics to cover in any disaster recovery planning document. The book is written in four sections with numerous realistic scenarios and provides beneficial guidance for managing the entire testing process. " 'Disaster Recovery Testing: Exercising Your Contingency Plan,' written jointly by thirty disaster recovery professionals, drives home the importance of testing the company's contingency plan, discussing necessary management skills, effective use of resources, and the elements of successful testing in various settings. "The authors assume that a disaster recovery plan has already been developed and approved. The book's initial chapters are similar to what one might find in a disaster recovery planning book, including how to justify, budget, and manage the process - but all are geared towards testing. "One important chapter addresses the benefits of client participation. Disaster recovery managers know how important it is to develop a partnership with the client business leaders to address adequately all recovery aspects of business functionality. "Various testing methods and processes are also addressed. The authors provide numerous checklists and suggest topics to cover in any disaster recovery planning document. These lists alone make the book worthwhile. "Overall, ... the material focuses much needed attention on disaster recovery testing. It is written in four well-planned, easy-to-follow sections, with numerous realistic scenarios and ideas to consider. This book will provide useful guidance for management of the entire disaster recovery testing process." --SECURITY MANAGEMENT Magazine " 'Disaster Recovery Testing: Exercising Your Contingency Plan,' written jointly by thirty disaster recovery professionals, drives home the importance of testing the company's contingency plan, discussing necessary management skills, effective use of resources, and the elements of successful testing in various settings. "The authors assume that a disaster recovery plan has already been developed and approved. The book's initial chapters are similar to what one might find in a disaster recovery planning book, including how to justify, budget, and manage the process - but all are geared towards testing. "One important chapter addresses the benefits of client participation. Disaster recovery managers know how important it is to develop a partnership with the client business leaders to address adequately all recovery aspects of business functionality. "Various testing methods and processes are also addressed. The authors provide numerous checklists and suggest topics to cover in any disaster recovery planning document. These lists alone make the book worthwhile. "Overall, ... the material focuses much needed attention on disaster recovery testing. It is written in four well-planned, easy-to-follow sections, with numerous realistic scenarios and ideas to consider. This book will provide useful guidance for management of the entire disaster recovery testing process." --SECURITY MANAGEMENT Magazine

Key Features

a[ Covers test planning and management, including managementas role, budgeting, justification and politics.

a[ Details test participants and resources including professional development, human factors, the test team, self-assessment, the roles of vendors, consultants, auditors, clients and software.

a[ Quantifies testing methods, including walkthroughs, simulations, joint testing, surprise testing, real disasters as the ultimate test.

a[ Asks what is being tested, including business units, locations, data centers, voice/data communications, trading floors, local area networks.

a[ Covers all other practical considerations such as test monitoring, first-time testing, feedback, reporting and follow up.

a[ Includes a sample test plan.