From equipment failures to cyberattacks and even natural disasters, unexpected events can disrupt your business in the blink of an eye. Developing a disaster recovery plan is one of the most important investments businesses can make to weather these unexpected events.
However, simply having a plan is not enough. The true effectiveness of your plan is only revealed when you pressure test it through regular disaster recovery testing. Without thorough testing, you can’t be certain that your business can handle a catastrophic event.
Here are disaster recovery testing best practices you should follow to make sure your plan is robust and ready for any disaster:
Test for various scenarios
When conducting tests, simulate various events to see how your team reacts and how well the recovery steps are followed. For instance, in a cyberattack scenario, you should test your system’s ability to detect and respond to the attack as well as your team’s ability to implement the necessary security measures. In a natural disaster scenario, you should test your backup and recovery processes to check whether critical data can be restored in a timely manner.
By simulating a range of events, you identify weaknesses in your disaster recovery plan and refine your strategies to handle whatever comes your way.
Assess your data backups
To protect against data loss during a disaster, make it a priority to test your data backup systems on a regular basis. This includes confirming that backups are being updated consistently and stored securely, either on site or in the cloud. Regularly test the process of restoring data to ensure your team can quickly recover files with minimal downtime, whether it’s a partial restore or a full system recovery.
Conduct tabletop exercises
Tabletop exercises mimic real-life disasters to help your team practice responses and evaluate the effectiveness of your plan. Start by identifying specific disaster scenarios relevant to your organization (e.g., a data breach) and create a detailed script that outlines how the simulated disaster would unfold and how your team should respond. This script should include specific tasks for each team member to follow as well as potential challenges they may encounter during the simulation.
Then, gather your team in a meeting room and walk them step by step through the scenario, prompting discussions and decision-making. After the exercise, conduct a thorough debrief to review what went well, what can be improved, and any adjustments needed for your plan.
Conducting these exercises prepares your team (not just the systems) for potential emergencies while also building teamwork and problem-solving skills.
Test regularly
A disaster recovery plan is not a static document. Technology evolves, business processes change, and new threats emerge constantly. To keep your recovery efforts effective, you must regularly test your contingency plans. Conduct tests at least once a year or, better yet, every six months. This will allow you to identify any gaps or weaknesses in your plan and make necessary updates as your IT infrastructure and potential risks change.
Document everything
Document every step of your disaster recovery test to track improvements and create a valuable reference for the future. If something doesn’t go as planned, you’ll be able to look back at the test results and figure out where the breakdown occurred. Additionally, detailed documentation helps maintain compliance with industry standards and regulations, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, where recovery plans are mandated by law.
Evaluate the results and improve upon them
After completing each test, take time to evaluate the results thoroughly. Were recovery times within acceptable limits? Were key systems restored successfully? Were there any surprises or obstacles during the process? Use these findings to continuously improve your plan and to make sure it works better each time.
By reviewing the results of each test and making data-driven improvements, your business will be better prepared for the unexpected.
Testing your disaster recovery plan is an ongoing process that can mean the difference between bouncing back quickly or facing long-term disruption after a crisis. Tech Partners Hawaii is here to help you develop, test, and continuously improve your disaster recovery plan. Contact us now.