Disaster recovery plan (DRP)

 

A disaster recovery plan (DRP) sometimes referred to as a business continuity plan (BCP) or business process contingency plan (BPCP) describes how an organization is to deal with potential disasters, whichmakes the continuation of normal functions impossible. A disaster recovery plan consists of the precautions taken, so that the effects of a disaster will be minimized and the organization will be able to either maintain or quickly resume mission-critical functions.

As devices, systems, and networks become ever more complex, there are simply more things that can go wrong. As a consequence, recovery plans have also become more complex.

Appropriate plans vary from one enterprise to another, depending on variables such as the type of business, the processes involved, and the level of security needed. Disaster recovery planning may be developed within an organization or purchased as a software application or a service.

An IT disaster recovery plan provides a structured approach for responding to unplanned incidents that threaten an IT infrastructure, which includes hardware, software, networks, processes and people. Protecting your firm's investment in its technology infrastructure, and protecting your firm's ability to conduct business are the key reasons for implementing an IT disaster recovery plan.