Disaster recovery plan feature: communication

Name:

Date:

Class:

Quick Questions

Shade in the A or B circle for each question.

1. What does the communication feature of a disaster recovery plan state?

A Who tells staff, customers, regulators and the media what has happened, and how

B Which backup type copies only the files changed since the last full backup

2. Which is a contact list in a communication plan?

A Up-to-date phone numbers and emails for staff, key customers and regulators

B A list of the passwords that staff use to log in to the network

3. Why does a plan name one spokesperson?

A So the media and public receive one consistent, approved message

B So every staff member can give their own version to the media

4. A data breach affects customers. Which action follows the communication plan?

A Say nothing until the next annual report is published

B Send customers a prompt, clear update on what happened and what they should do

5. What does 'timely updates' mean in a communication plan?

A Sending one message months after the incident has been fixed

B Giving regular, scheduled progress updates while the incident is being handled

Match the Pairs

Draw a line connecting each item on the left to its match on the right.

Left column		Right column
1contact_list = ["staff", "customers", "regulator"]		AOne named person is authorised to speak to the media and public so the message stays consistent.
2spokesperson = "Communications Manager"		BLetting any staff member speak to the media causes mixed messages and may leak wrong information. One trained spokesperson should be named.
3Timely updates keep staff and customers informed at regular intervals during recovery.		Cupdate_every = "2 hours"
4The plan states who tells each group what has happened, and how, such as email, SMS or phone.		Dnotify("customers", "SMS")
5spokesperson = "Any staff member"		EA contact list names who must be told about the incident and how to reach each group.
6update_customers = "after recovery only"		FWaiting until recovery is finished leaves customers and staff uninformed. Updates should be timely and given during the incident.

Definitions

communication plan

Fill in the Blanks

Complete each line of code by filling in the missing parts.

SEND alert USING ____________

ONLY the ____________ speaks to the media

Updates must be ______ and consistent

IF data breach THEN notify the _________

contact list: name, role, _____, email

Spot the Error

Shade in the letter of the line that contains an error.

Question 1

A communication plan:

B contact list = phone, email

C spokesperson = everyone

D updates = timely

Question 2

A after incident:

B keep customers in the dark

C tell regulators

D tell media via spokesperson

Question 3

A contact list:

B names and phone numbers

C never update it

D keep a copy offline

Question 4

A spokesperson:

B speaks without approval

C uses facts from the IT team

D staff refer media enquiries

Question 5

A timely updates:

B first notice: within hours

C progress: daily

D final report: next year

Answer Key

Disaster recovery plan feature: communication

Section A: Quick Questions

A — Who tells staff, customers, regulators and the media what has happened, and how

A — Up-to-date phone numbers and emails for staff, key customers and regulators

A — So the media and public receive one consistent, approved message

B — Send customers a prompt, clear update on what happened and what they should do

B — Giving regular, scheduled progress updates while the incident is being handled

Section B: Match the Pairs

contact_list = ["staff", "customers", "regulator"] → A contact list names who must be told about the incident and how to reach each group.

spokesperson = "Communications Manager" → One named person is authorised to speak to the media and public so the message stays consistent.

Timely updates keep staff and customers informed at regular intervals during recovery. → update_every = "2 hours"

The plan states who tells each group what has happened, and how, such as email, SMS or phone. → notify("customers", "SMS")

spokesperson = "Any staff member" → Letting any staff member speak to the media causes mixed messages and may leak wrong information. One trained spokesperson should be named.

update_customers = "after recovery only" → Waiting until recovery is finished leaves customers and staff uninformed. Updates should be timely and given during the incident.

Section C: Definitions

communication plan — Part of a disaster recovery plan stating who tells staff, customers, regulators and media what happened, and how, using contact lists, a spokesperson and timely updates.

Section D: Fill in the Blanks

SEND alert USING contact list

ONLY the spokesperson speaks to the media

Updates must be timely and consistent

IF data breach THEN notify the regulator

contact list: name, role, phone, email

Section E: Spot the Error

C — A communication plan names one trained spokesperson so the message stays consistent. Letting everyone speak risks mixed messages, so line 3 should name one person.

B — The plan must say who tells customers what has happened. Hiding it from them damages trust, so line 2 should tell staff and customers.

C — A contact list that is never updated goes out of date, so the wrong people (or nobody) get told. It should be updated regularly.

B — The spokesperson must be approved to speak publicly for the organisation. Speaking without approval risks wrong or damaging statements, so line 2 should say approved.

D — Timely updates mean people are told promptly. The final report should go out once the incident is resolved, not a year later.