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Purpose of a disaster recovery plan

A plan made in advance that sets out who does what to protect people and restore data and systems after a disruption, so downtime is limited.

Part of: VCE Data Analytics - U4O2 - Cyber Security: Data Security — Module 79

Understanding Purpose of a disaster recovery plan in VCE Data Analytics U4O2

What it does: Naming who does what in advance removes confusion and delay, which is a key purpose of a disaster recovery plan. A plan must prepare for deliberate threats (ransomware) and events-based threats (floods, fires) so the organisation can recover from either. A plan cannot remove downtime completely. It limits how long systems are unavailable because everyone follows prepared steps. The plan includes protecting people, for example through evacuation, as well as restoring data and systems. This is the core definition of a DRP: it is prepared before a disruption and guides the response and restoration afterwards. A DRP limits downtime by setting recovery targets so the organisation knows how quickly operations must resume.

Common mistakes: A disaster recovery plan exists to limit downtime after a disruption, not increase it. The line should be purpose = limit downtime. Once people are safe, the plan restores data and systems from backups. Deleting backups would make recovery impossible. It should be then = restore from backup.

Class: _____________________  ·  Name: _____________________  ·  Date: _________

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This module's key terms are also in a printable crossword (Modules 44–79) and word search (Modules 44–113).

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Learning
Duo
When is a disaster recovery plan written?
After a disruption, once the damage is knownIn advance, before a disruption happens
Matches
We will write the disaster recovery plan after a ransomware attack hits.
↓
A DRP must be made in advance. Writing it after the disruption means there is no plan to limit downtime or guide the response.
Applying
Meanings
Term
disaster recovery plan
Meaning
A plan made in advance that sets out who does what to protect people and restore data and systems after a disruption, so downtime is limited.
Practice
PLAN disaster recovery plan
Testing
Gaps
A is made in advance.
Check Answer
Spots
1PLAN drp_school
2 purpose = increase downtime

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Quick Questions

1. When is a disaster recovery plan written?
A. In advance, before a disruption happens ✓
B. After a disruption, once the damage is known
A disaster recovery plan is prepared ahead of time so the organisation knows exactly what to do when a disruption strikes.
2. What is the main purpose of a disaster recovery plan?
A. Protect people and restore data and systems after a disruption ✓
B. Stop every threat from ever reaching the organisation
A plan cannot guarantee that no threat gets through. Its purpose is to set out how to protect people and recover data and systems when a disruption does happen.
3. How does a disaster recovery plan help an organisation's downtime?
A. It removes all downtime so operations never stop
B. It limits downtime by setting out clear recovery steps ✓
A plan cannot remove downtime completely. It limits how long systems are unavailable because everyone follows prepared steps.
4. Which feature of a disaster recovery plan makes sure staff know what they must do during a disruption?
A. Assigned responsibilities for each person or team ✓
B. Leaving staff to decide what to do on the day
A good plan assigns responsibilities in advance so there is no confusion or delay when a disruption happens.
5. Which threat could a disaster recovery plan need to cover?
A. Only accidental threats such as deleting a file by mistake
B. A deliberate threat such as a ransomware attack ✓
A plan should cover deliberate threats like ransomware as well as accidental ones. Deliberate attacks can stop systems and make data unavailable.

Match the Pairs

Disaster recovery plan (DRP) → A plan written in advance that sets out how people are protected and data and systems are restored after a disruption
Recovery time target: restore the sales database within 4 hours → Limits downtime by setting a clear goal for how fast systems must be working again
A DRP assigns responsibilities so everyone knows their role during a disruption → IT Manager: restore servers | Admin Officer: contact staff | Principal: approve updates
A DRP covers deliberate and events-based threats, such as ransomware attacks and floods → Scenarios: ransomware attack -> restore from backup | flood or fire -> move to backup site
We will write the disaster recovery plan after a ransomware attack hits. → A DRP must be made in advance. Writing it after the disruption means there is no plan to limit downtime or guide the response.
The DRP only covers hardware failure, so it does not need to mention cyber attacks or natural disasters. → A DRP should cover deliberate threats (like malware) and events-based threats (like fire or flood), not just one type of failure.

Key Term

disaster recovery plan
A plan made in advance that sets out who does what to protect people and restore data and systems after a disruption, so downtime is limited.

Fill in the Blanks

1. A disaster recovery plan is made in advance.
Hint: Type the full name of the plan an organisation prepares before a disruption happens.
2. Purpose: limit downtime after a disruption
Hint: Type the word for the period when systems and data are unavailable.
3. The plan assigns responsibilities to staff.
Hint: Type the word for the jobs and duties each person must carry out.
4. Covers deliberate and events-based threats
Hint: Type the hyphenated threat type that includes fires, floods and storms.
5. Protect people, restore data and systems
Hint: Type who must be kept safe first, before data and systems are restored.

Spot the Error

Question 1
A PLAN drp_school
B purpose = increase downtime
C owner = IT manager
Line B — A disaster recovery plan exists to limit downtime after a disruption, not increase it. The line should be purpose = limit downtime.
Question 2
A PLAN drp_shop
B threat = flood
C first = evacuate staff
D then = delete backups
Line D — Once people are safe, the plan restores data and systems from backups. Deleting backups would make recovery impossible. It should be then = restore from backup.
Question 3
A PLAN drp_college
B owner = nobody
C backup_owner = deputy
Line B — A disaster recovery plan assigns responsibilities so everyone knows who does what. Leaving the owner as nobody defeats this. It should name a role, such as owner = IT manager.
Question 4
A PLAN drp_bank
B threat = ransomware
C action = ignore all backups
Line C — Ransomware is a deliberate threat, and the plan covers it by restoring data from backups. Ignoring backups does not recover anything. It should be action = restore from backup.
Question 5
A created = after disruption
B threat = power outage
C action = use generator
Line A — A disaster recovery plan is made in advance, before a disruption happens. Writing it afterwards is too late. It should be created = before disruption.

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