Application Disaster Recovery Plan

I. Introduction

A. Purpose

The purpose of this Application Disaster Recovery Plan (ADRP) is to establish a structured framework for responding to and recovering from disasters that affect critical applications within [Your Company Name].

B. Scope

This ADRP encompasses all essential applications vital for the operation of [Your Company Name]. It outlines procedures for restoring application functionality in the event of natural disasters, cyber-attacks, hardware failures, and other emergencies.

1. In-Scope Applications

Identify and list all critical applications covered by the disaster recovery plan.

Application Name	Department
[App 1]	[Department 1]
[App 2]	[Department 2]
[App 3]	[Department 3]

2. Out-of-Scope Applications

Specify any applications not covered by this plan and provide reasons for their exclusion.

C. Objectives

Minimize disruption to business operations by ensuring the availability of critical applications.
Ensure the timely recovery of critical applications to meet business needs and customer expectations.
Safeguard the reputation and assets of [Your Company Name] by protecting sensitive data and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.
Comply with regulatory requirements and industry standards related to application availability and data protection.

II. Roles and Responsibilities

A. Disaster Recovery Team

1. Team Members

Identify individuals comprising the disaster recovery team and their respective roles.

Team Member	Role	Email	Phone
[Name 1]	[Role 1]	[Email 1]	[Phone 1]
[Name 2]	[Role 2]	[Email 2]	[Phone 2]
[Name 3]	[Role 3]	[Email 3]	[Phone 3]

2. Responsibilities

Define the specific responsibilities of each team member during the application recovery process.

B. IT Department

1. IT Personnel

List key IT personnel involved in application recovery efforts and their roles.

IT Personnel	Role	Email	Phone
[Name 1]	IT Manager	[Email 1]	[Phone 1]
[Name 2]	System Admin	[Email 2]	[Phone 2]
[Name 3]	Network Admin	[Email 3]	[Phone 3]

2. Technical Support

Detail the technical support provided by the IT department during application recovery.

C. Application Owners

1. Roles and Responsibilities

Outline the roles and responsibilities of application owners in coordinating recovery efforts and providing support.

Application Owner	Department	Email	Phone
[Name 1]	[Department 1]	[Email 1]	[Phone 1]
[Name 2]	[Department 2]	[Email 2]	[Phone 2]
[Name 3]	[Department 3]	[Email 3]	[Phone 3]

2. Application Inventory

Maintain an inventory of applications owned by respective departments for reference during recovery.

III. Risk Assessment

A. Threat Analysis

Threats	Details
Natural Disasters	Earthquakes, floods, fires, storms
Technological Failures	Hardware malfunctions, software bugs, network failures, power outages
Human Threats	Cyber-attacks (e.g., malware, ransomware), sabotage, human errors (e.g., misconfiguration)

B. Vulnerability Assessment

Component	Details
Risk Identification	Vulnerabilities in application infrastructure, software, hardware, and networks
Impact Analysis	Potential impact on application availability, data integrity, and confidentiality
Mitigation Strategies	Regular software updates, security patches, access controls, encryption, employee training

IV. Backup and Recovery Procedures

A. Backup Strategy

Data Backup Frequency: Define the frequency of backups for critical application data based on business requirements and data volatility.

Backup Storage: Specify storage locations for backups, including on-site and off-site options for redundancy.

Backup Verification: Establish procedures for verifying the integrity and completeness of backups through regular testing and validation.

B. Recovery Point Objective (RPO) and Recovery Time Objective (RTO)

Metrics	Details
RPO Definition	Maximum acceptable data loss set at 1 hour before a disaster occurs.
RTO Definition	Maximum allowable downtime set at 4 hours for each application before normal operations must be restored.
RPO and RTO Alignment	RPO and RTO metrics aligned with business objectives and application requirements to ensure timely recovery.

C. Backup and Restoration Processes

Backup Procedures: Document step-by-step procedures for backing up application data, including data selection, transfer methods, and verification.

Restoration Procedures: Document procedures for restoring application data and functionality in the event of a disaster, including prioritization and validation steps.

V. Communication Plan

A. Notification Procedures

Incident Notification: Define procedures for notifying stakeholders and relevant personnel in the event of a disaster affecting applications.

Communication Channels: Identify primary and alternative communication channels for disseminating information and updates during recovery efforts.

B. Stakeholder Communication

Internal Communication: Outline communication methods and protocols for coordinating recovery efforts within the organization.

External Communication: Define procedures for communicating with customers, vendors, and other external stakeholders regarding application availability and recovery progress.

VI. Testing and Maintenance

A. Testing Schedule

Test Frequency: Regular tests and simulations scheduled to validate the effectiveness of the recovery plan.

Test Scenarios: Specific disaster scenarios defined to evaluate the readiness of the recovery procedures.

B. Maintenance Procedures

Plan Review: Procedures established for reviewing and updating the recovery plan to reflect changes in application infrastructure, technology, or business requirements.

Lessons Learned: Continuous improvement approach integrating insights from tests and real incidents to enhance response and recovery capabilities.

VII. Training and Awareness

A. Training Program

Training Modules: Develop training modules to educate IT teams, application owners, and other personnel on their roles and responsibilities during application recovery efforts.

Training Schedule: Establish a schedule for conducting training sessions and workshops to ensure ongoing awareness and preparedness.

B. Awareness Campaigns

Awareness Initiatives: Implement awareness initiatives to promote a culture of preparedness and emphasize the importance of application disaster recovery across the organization.

Communication Channels: Utilize various communication channels, such as email, intranet, and posters, to disseminate information and updates about application recovery.

VIII. Documentation and Reporting

A. Documentation Standards

Document Repository: Establish a centralized repository for storing all documentation related to the application disaster recovery plan.

Version Control: Implement version control procedures to track changes and updates to the recovery plan over time.

B. Reporting Procedures

Incident Reporting: Define procedures for reporting incidents, test results, and other relevant information to stakeholders and senior management.

Reporting Metrics: Establish metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of the recovery plan and identifying areas for improvement.

IX. Appendices

A. Glossary of Terms

RPO (Recovery Point Objective): The maximum acceptable amount of data loss measured in time before a disaster occurs.

RTO (Recovery Time Objective): The maximum allowable downtime for each application before normal operations must be restored.

B. Contact Information

Internal Contacts: Compile a list of contact information for key personnel involved in application recovery efforts, including names, roles, email addresses, and phone numbers.

External Contacts: Include contact information for external vendors, service providers, and regulatory agencies involved in application recovery efforts.

C. Supporting Documentation

System Diagrams: Include system diagrams and network configurations to provide a visual representation of application infrastructure.

Vendor Contracts: Attach copies of vendor contracts and service level agreements (SLAs) relevant to application recovery and support.

X. Approval and Review

A. Approval Process

Stakeholder Review: Obtain feedback and approval from relevant stakeholders, including IT teams, application owners, and senior management.

Final Approval: Obtain final approval for the application disaster recovery plan from senior management or the designated approval authority.

B. Review and Update Schedule

Review Frequency: Specify the frequency at which the application disaster recovery plan will be reviewed for updates and revisions.

Update Process: Outline the process for incorporating feedback, lessons learned, and changes in technology or business requirements into the recovery plan.