Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning models - Essay Example

Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning Models affiliation Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning Models There are a number of processes used by organizations to help them in the preparation of disruptive events. These processes are known as business continuity and disaster recovery planning models. These processes prepare organizations in the events of catastrophes such as floods, hurricanes or even power outages. Disaster recovery models are the processes by which a business is resumed after a catastrophe while business continuity models are comprehensive approaches, which make sure that an organization will continue earning money.

A business continuity model is also a process that ensures that a business will be in operation for the foreseeable future. There are various models of business continuity. Some of these models include standards, supporting policies and program development. There are a number of standard bodies that publish business continuity standards. Some of these standards include ISO, North America, Australia and United Kingdom. ISO standards usually specify a management system that will manage an organization’s business continuity.

ISO standards also provide advices and guidance concerning the continuity of a business. On the other hand, North America provides continuity programs such as organizational resilience. This involves preparedness, continuity management and security systems. United Kingdom was a business management continuity standard which was divided into two parts. However, it was replaced by ISO standards. The other model of business continuity is program development. This is a management-level process that ensures that appropriate measures are taken regularly to ensure identification of probable disasters, accidents, threats or emergencies.

Program development also involves assessing possible effects of such catastrophes, development of recovery plans and, readiness through plan testing and personnel training. Policies are all the things, which the management of an organization has authorized to always be followed and performed in accordance with a present design plan. Policies are designed to support all the functions in an organization. Policies mainly involve procedures and guidelines. The similarity between policies and standards is that policies usually involve standards such as ISO and British standards.

Procedures give specifications used in the implementation of business continuity systems within organizations. On the other hand, guidelines can be defined as those activities that an organization recommends performing in accordance to the present design plans. Guidelines depend on the requirements and needs of the organizations functions. However, guidelines may be altered or omitted during implementation (Doughty 2001). Disaster recovery plans are those procedures laid down by an organization to protect it and help it recover from disasters.

Disaster recovery models include, detective measures, preventive measures and corrective measures. Detective measures aim at discovering the presence of unwanted occurrences in an organization’s IT department. Detective measures involve the use of antivirus software, network monitoring software and training employees. Preventive measures aim at identifying and reducing risks. This model is created in that, it lessens or reduces the chances of the occurrence of an event. Preventive measures involve the use of surge protectors, generators and data back-up plan.

On the other hand, corrective measures aim at the restoration of a system after a catastrophe or an unwanted occurrence. Corrective measures involve storing all the crucial documents in the disaster recovery model (Sandhu 2002). Disaster recovery and business continuity models are important elements in a business. They are important because they ensure the continuity of a business even after the occurrence of an unwanted event. References Doughty, K. (2001). Business continuity planning protecting your organizations life.

Boca Raton: Auerbach. Sandhu, R. J. (2002). Disaster recovery planning. Cincinnati, Ohio: Premier Press