Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP)

Introduction

In today's fast-paced and digital-first environment, organizations must be

prepared for unforeseen events that can disrupt business operations. A well-
defined Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) is critical for maintaining business
continuity and safeguarding data integrity. Following the devastating fire
that impacted our previous office location, this DRP has been developed to
provide a comprehensive framework for responding to various emergencies.
It will analyze backup tools, responsibilities, security measures,
communication methods, and employee access to essential data, ensuring
that all organizational members are ready to adapt in the face of disruption.

Backup Tools

 Veeam Backup & Replication:

Veeam Backup & Replication offers an advanced solution for data protection
and ensures rapid recovery across virtual, physical, and cloud environments.
It provides features such as reliable incremental backups, instant recovery
options, and a simplified user interface, making it accessible for the IT team.
Veeam’s integration with cloud storage solutions enables the organization to
store backups off-site securely while maintaining quick access for
restoration. This flexibility ensures that business operations can continue
with minimal downtime.

 Acronis Cyber Backup:

Acronis Cyber Backup stands out for its unique combination of backup and
cybersecurity features. This software offers image-based backups that can
capture the entirety of a system's state, allowing complete recovery if
needed. Moreover, Acronis provides built-in ransomware protection,
safeguarding backups from encryption threats. Its hybrid cloud backup
model allows the organization to store data in local and cloud repositories,
ensuring redundancy. Both tools contribute significantly to business
continuity by providing solid performance in various recovery scenarios.

Backup Responsibility and Frequency

 Responsibility:

The responsibility for backups will fall under the IT department’s purview.
Specifically, the Backup Administrator will be tasked with overseeing backup
operations, ensuring that routines and policies are adhered to, and that
backups are completed successfully. Additionally, responsibility will extend
to the IT manager, who will conduct regular audits and assessments of the
backup strategy and provide updates to upper management.

 Backup Frequency:

Data backup will occur on a daily basis to ensure minimal data loss.
Incremental backups will be scheduled every four hours to capture changes
made throughout the day, while a full backup will occur once a week, usually
during off-peak hours. This strategy is designed to balance the need for up-
to-date information with the operational capabilities of the organization,
ensuring that resources are available during non-business hours for
extensive backup processes.

Data Protection While at Rest

 Protection Measures:

Protecting data while at rest is vital to maintaining the confidentiality and

integrity of organizational information. To achieve this, all backup data will
be encrypted using Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with a key length of
256 bits at both the application and storage levels. This encryption will
ensure that unauthorized access to data at rest is mitigated, even if the
physical media were compromised.
  Security Requirements:

The organization will implement multiple security requirements to create a

layered defense for backup data. Access controls will be enforced to restrict
access to backup data to authorized personnel only. The identification and
authentication of users will be handled through strong password policies and
multi-factor authentication (MFA). Additionally, regular vulnerability
assessments and penetration testing will be conducted to identify and
remediate security weaknesses. Compliance with legal frameworks, such as
the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), is also vital to ensure that the
organizational practices align with industry standards.

Restoration Time Objective (RTO)

Restoration Time:

The primary database should be restored within four hours of a disaster

event. This Restoration Time Objective (RTO) is critical to minimizing
disruptions and ensuring that the organization can resume normal operations
swiftly. An extended downtime could lead to operational inefficiencies, loss
of revenue, diminished customer trust, and reputational damage. By setting
a targeted RTO of four hours, we ensure that crucial business processes can
be resumed and maintain compliance with existing service level agreements
(SLAs) with clients and partners.

Employee Access to Backup Database

Access Method:

Employees' access to the backup database during business continuity efforts

will occur through a secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) connection. This
approach gives employees secure remote access to company resources
without exposing the network to potential outside threats. Employees will
authenticate their identities using their corporate credentials and MFA to
gain access to the backup systems.
Once authenticated, employees will utilize a secure web portal designed for
data restoration. Training sessions will be organized to ensure that all team
members are comfortable using the platform and understand the procedures
for accessing the backup database. Regular reviews of access logs will be
conducted to monitor activity and ensure compliance with access policies.

Temporary Workspace for Employees

New Workspace:

Due to the unavailability of the previous office space, employees will work
from a designated recovery site. This site is equipped with the essential IT
infrastructure, including high-speed internet access, compatible
workstations, phone systems, and collaborative tools. To ensure a seamless
transition, the IT department will also set up remote access solutions for
employees who need to continue working from home.

In addition, contingency plans will be put in place for remote work conditions,
such as providing employees with stipends for necessary equipment,
allowing flexibility in work hours to accommodate varying home-work
conditions, and ensuring that all employees have the tools needed to
complete their tasks effectively.

Communication Methods

 Communication Channels: A solid communication plan is necessary for

keeping all stakeholders informed and aligned during recovery efforts.
The organization will utilize a variety of communication methods,
including:

 Email Alerts: Emails will serve as formal notifications regarding the

current status of the disaster recovery effort, including timelines for
restoration and further instructions for employees.
  Internal Messaging Platforms: Tools such as Slack or Microsoft Teams
will support real-time communication among employees, allowing for
quick updates, collaboration, and problem resolution.

 Automated Emergency Alerts: A mass notification system will be

deployed, sending text messages or recorded voice messages to
rapidly inform all employees of critical updates and necessary actions
during a disaster.

 Company Intranet: The company’s intranet will serve as a central hub

for all related updates, documentation, and resources regarding the
disaster recovery effort.

Regular meetings will be organized to provide a platform for discussing

recovery progress, challenges faced, and next actions required. Keeping
communication channels open ensures that employees remain informed and
engaged throughout the recovery process.

Backup Storage Policy

Major Components of a Backup Storage Policy:

 Data Classification: Data will be categorized into levels based on its

sensitivity and importance, completing a risk assessment to determine
appropriate backup requirements for each category.
  Backup Frequency and Type: Detailed protocols will clarify how often
data should be backed up for different categories, including daily
incremental and weekly full backups.

 Storage Location: The policy will specify where backup data is stored
(on-premises, off-site, or in the cloud) and ensure redundancy to
protect against data loss.

 Data Retention Policy: Show how long several types of data will be kept
and the procedures for real-time monitoring of data lifecycle and
retention requirements.

 Disaster Recovery Testing: Regular testing of recovery procedures will

be mandated to ensure that backup systems can be restored
successfully and within acceptable time limits.

 Security Measures: Clearly outline access controls, encryption

standards, intrusion detection protocols, and regular audits to maintain
compliance with organizational security policies.

Steps Taken in Weekly Labs

Throughout the week’s labs, I engaged in practical exercises that simulated

the deployment of backup solutions, including configuring Veeam Backup &
Replication and Acronis Cyber Backup. I practiced implementing various
security measures such as user access controls and encryption
specifications. Additionally, I participated in discussions on incident response
strategies, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement and
updates to the DRP based on real-world scenarios.

Conclusion
This Disaster Recovery Plan serves not only as a guideline to navigate
potential crises but also as a framework for fostering a proactive
organizational culture that prioritizes resilience and data integrity. With the
implementation of effective backup tools, clearly defined roles, robust
security measures, and agile communication processes, we can ensure that
the organization remains operational and capable of meeting customer
expectations in the face of unforeseen challenges.

References

 Veeam Software. (n.d.). Veeam Backup & Replication. Retrieved from

https://www.veeam.com/solutions/backup-recovery-vmware-
vsphere.html
 Acronis. (n.d.). Acronis Cyber Backup. Retrieved from
https://www.acronis.com/en-us/business/backup/
 National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2011). Special
Publication 800-34: Contingency Planning Guide for Federal
Information Systems. Retrieved from
https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-
34r1.pdf
 Hiles, A. (2015). Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning
for IT Professionals. Wiley.