Disaster Recovery Backup

Disaster Recovery backup comes under two processes within the ITIL framework. These are Availability Management and Information Technology Service Continuity Management.

Disaster Recovery backup – routine or not routine?

Availability Management is responsible for the routine which include the backup plan, the physical conduct of backups, the testing of these backups etc. Where ITSCM overlaps here is that if these backups fail, this could be a potential disaster.

Disaster Recovery backup – What Recovery Options?

Recovery options need to be considered for:

• People and accommodation - including alternative premises either owned, leased or through agreement with a third party; reciprocal arrangements with other organizations; and rapid procurement of alternative premises or refurbishment of existing premises.
  
  Consideration should also be given to the respective location of the proposed premises, the mobility of the staff who will be supporting the recovered business operations including IT staff and the total number of staff required to support the business process.
  
  
• IT systems and networks - these options need to be identified and agreed by the IT Manager responsible for ITSCM and include recovery of IT systems, hardware, applications, software and networks, and the data used within these systems and facilities.
  
  This relies on the Availability of effective backups to enable restoration of the service and needs to be performed in collaboration with Availability Management. This strategy should also include the implementation of Continuity mechanisms to support local disruption/interruption of IT Services supporting critical business processes, such as disk mirroring, UPS or dual power supplies, dual communication links, etc.
  
  
• Critical services such as power, telecommunications, water, couriers and post.
  
  
• Critical assets such as paper records and reference material.