1. 0 - Introduction
No one wants to think about worst-case scenarios, but as an IT service provider, preparing for them is part of the job. A robust IT Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) Plan is crucial for minimizing downtime and maintaining business operations when the unexpected happens.
HighGround helps by giving you a centralized place to upload BCDR plans and perform regular BCDR tests, ensuring your strategies are not just well-documented, but battle-ready.
With HighGround, you can keep your clients' businesses resilient, even when disaster strikes.
Tip: HighGround offers a free IT BCDR Plan Template and SOP Template. To learn more about this, please read our Free Resources in HighGround article.
2.0 - Key Components of IT BCDR Planning
Having a BCDR plan is great, however its what your plan includes that makes it worth having. A well-rounded BCDR plan includes:
Risk Assessment: Identify the specific risk and their potential impact on business operations so you can plan effectively for them.
Backup Strategy: Implement redundant, secure, and regularly tested backups to protect critical data.
Recovery Procedures: Develop clear, actionable steps to restore systems and services efficiently (aka SOPs).
Regular Testing: Conduct simulations and test recovery drills to ensure the plan works as intended when needed. Any learnings can be identified and implementing into the plan and SOPs, ensuring these crucial lessons are learned.
3.0 - Uploading an IT BCDR Plan
Uploading your IT BCDR Plan to HighGround is quick and straightforward. All you need are a few key details and proof of your plan.
Tip: Don't have an IT BCDR Plan to upload? No problem! You'll find a free one you can download and get started with right away - it's right next to the upload option when you're in the Governance & Resilience > IT BCDR Plan module.
Steps to Upload Your IT BCDR Plan:
Select 'Upload': Navigate to the BCDR section and click the 'Upload' button.
Enter the Author's Name: Provide the name of the person who authored the plan.
List Approvers and Reviewers: Add the names of those who approved and reviewed the plan.
Set the Implementation Date: Select the date when the plan was put into action.
Complete the Upload: Click 'Upload' to finalize the process.
Your IT BCDR plan will now appear in the Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery section of your Governance & Resilience module.
Note: Make sure to include a file or a link when uploading your plan—these serve as required sources of proof.
4.0 - Why you should Perform a BCDR Test
Performing an IT Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery (BCDR) plan is like having an escape hatch in a submarine - essential when things go sideways. Here’s why it matters:
1. Minimize Downtime: When disaster strikes (e.g., cyberattacks, hardware failures, natural disasters), a well-prepared IT BCDR Plan helps keep critical systems running or restore them quickly. This minimizes downtime and keeps your business from grinding to a halt.
2. Data Protection and Recovery: Data is the lifeblood of modern businesses. An IT BCDR Plan ensures essential data is identified and regular backups are taken. It also establishes processes for recovering data, preventing permanent loss.
3. Maintaining Client Trust: Especially in the managed IT services world, clients rely on you to keep their systems safe and operational. A solid IT BCDR Plan demonstrates professionalism and reliability, which keeps client trust intact even during tough times.
4. Regulatory Compliance: For industries with strict compliance requirements (like healthcare or finance), having an IT BCDR Plan is not just a good idea -it’s often a legal necessity. Failing to comply can lead to hefty fines and legal troubles.
5. Financial Impact Mitigation: Downtime and data loss can lead to significant financial losses. An IT BCDR Plan reduces the financial blow by ensuring swift recovery and reducing the costs associated with prolonged outages.
6. Risk Management: A BCDR plan involves assessing potential risks and preparing for them. This proactive approach means fewer surprises when disaster strikes.
7. Peace of Mind: Knowing that there’s a plan in place for worst-case scenarios allows IT teams and business leaders to focus on growth and innovation, rather than always worrying about what could go wrong.
5.0 - Performing a BCDR test in HighGround
Testing your BCDR plan is just as easy. Follow these steps to ensure your plan is ready for anything:
Select 'Perform BCDR Test': Head to the IT BCDR Plan tile in the Governance & Resilience module and click the 'Perform BCDR Test' button.
Complete the Test Sections: Fill out all 11 sections of the test thoroughly.
Submit the Test: Click 'Complete' to finish.
Once submitted, HighGround will generate your audit automatically. Your completed test will be saved in your list of BCDR tests, ready for review whenever needed.