Writing a Disaster Recovery Plan

[RabbieBurns]

Has anyone written one of these? From the examples Ive found online they seem to relate to multinational organizations with numerous data centers and entire DR dedicated staff etc.

 

Does anyone have an example of a document that would be relevant to a medium size school?

[SpuffMonkey]

Here's one I wrote a while ago - hope its of some help

Unity 2006 Draft.doc

[pantscat]

@SpuffMonkey has got that pretty much nailed.

 

The general idea of a DR plan is to identify the potential disasters (so flood, fire, destruction, student/guinea-pig infestation) and then identify what the impact would be, and the possible steps for recovery with services prioritised accordingly.

 

I'd also include a list of all important contacts (suppliers, manufacturers, contractors, internal staff etc), where your software can be found if required (e.g. I keep a copy of most ISOs on a couple of USB memory sticks in a fire-resistant safe along with backup tapes) , and other relevant info - software and maintenance agreements etcetera!

[sidewinder]

@SpuffMonkey that is awesome. I've been meaning to sort one out here but wasn't sure on the format - yours is a great starting point, thanks

[SmartAudit_Joe]

Evening/Morning, whichever is most appropriate when you read this.

 

I came across a detailed ICT disaster recover plan that had been written on behalf of the Governors and it is attached for reference.

 

What is important is that your plan can be implemented and the only way you can prove that is by simulating a disaster at some point. Much in the same way that you can carry out a backup every night but you need to restore files from the backup to make sure it is working.

 

This plan should form an appendix to the School's overall Disaster recovery plan.

 

Happy to answer any other questions you may have.

 

Joe.

 

ICT Disaster Recovery Plan.docx

[speckytecky]

Hi @SpuffMonkey I've just been tasked with writing a Disaster Recovery Plan for our small KS3/4 EBD school and not wanting to reinvent the wheel did an Edugeek search and came across your superb offering. Being a tad cheeky but I notice that your Draft was from 2006 I was wondering if you might be able to post up a newer version please?

 

Here's one I wrote a while ago - hope its of some help

[SpuffMonkey]

Hi @SpuffMonkey I've just been tasked with writing a Disaster Recovery Plan for our small KS3/4 EBD school and not wanting to reinvent the wheel did an Edugeek search and came across your superb offering. Being a tad cheeky but I notice that your Draft was from 2006 I was wondering if you might be able to post up a newer version please?

 

Hi @speckytecky - I'd be happy to post up a new one - but I've been retired for 3 years - so I'm not feeling a burning need to update! :-)

 

Always worth an ask though - its only a structure - you need to fill your own bits in anyway - all the best mate!

[speckytecky]

Crikey, thanks @SpuffMonkey - retired, now that sounds the business to be in. I could handle that I reckon.

 

Anyhow, the plan that's there looks pretty first class and adaptable to me so thanks fo that. Sure as heck beats no plan as at. Present!

 

Hi @speckytecky - I'd be happy to post up a new one - but I've been retired for 3 years - so I'm not feeling a burning need to update! :-)

 

Always worth an ask though - its only a structure - you need to fill your own bits in anyway - all the best mate!

[snagrat]

I could do with a basic one of these if anyone wants to share theirs

[SpuffMonkey]

Crikey, thanks @SpuffMonkey - retired, now that sounds the business to be in. I could handle that I reckon.

 

Anyhow, the plan that's there looks pretty first class and adaptable to me so thanks fo that. Sure as heck beats no plan as at. Present!

 

As I recall - its

 

Define what you've got

Prioritise the order you're going to get it back and how

State who is responsible for what

Useful contact details

 

And then TEST IT WORKS - I found that last bit the hardest of all in a school context - getting the budget and time to really do a full test was a real pita!

I guess it should be a bit easier in these days of VMs to do the initial server restores - it used to be a real pain when the server models had changed a little bit and drivers didn't work - but the test highlights the bits you've missed - either from a backing up view, or from your plan for restoring access.

 

When I used to do this in the commercial world, we would do it in a sealed room to make sure we had copies of all the requisite software and drivers, but now with the internet so ubiquitous, it should be a lot easier

 

Good luck with it mate

[alan-d]

SearchDisasterRecovery_IT_DisasterRecoveryTemplate.docx I used this as a template, add and remove things as desired.

[sippo]

[ATTACH]27112[/ATTACH] I used this as a template, add and remove things as desired.

 

I am trying to download this, but it is zero bytes. Could it be uploaded again please?

[alan-d]

For some reason I can't get it to work either.

 

Here is the original web page I got it from though IT disaster recovery (DR) plan template: A free download and guide