3 Crucial Testing Methods for Ensuring the Effectiveness of Your Business Continuity Plan. Once you create your Business Continuity (BC) and IT Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP), the most practical steps are to train your staff on their roles and responsibilities before, during, and after an emergency and test the plan using various exercises. Testing your business continuity and disaster recovery plan is one of the most valuable ways to ensure that the process you have created is as effective in practice as it is on paper. Through testing, you can flow through each step, note areas for improvement, and then make corrections that will improve the plan’s effectiveness.
The Different Types of Testing Methods
Scenario Testing
One method of testing is to schedule a day of scenario-styled exercises that allow you to run through a simulated version of a disaster. Here, you can choose the disaster you would be responding to and try several different scenarios. These tests could be in-depth simulations that include turning off systems and using recovery methods, or they could be more of a discussion activity where participants are asked to state what they would do or to walk through the steps they would take. To be effective, the scenario needs to be as close as possible to a real-life situation as it occurs in reality. This type of testing is beneficial for evaluating staff process knowledge. Still, it may not be an accurate reflection of the systems themselves are not tested and if the staff members are not putting the test to physical action.
Escalation Testing
If your business finds itself in the earliest stages of a disaster that can be recovered before it turns into an actual disaster, this could be a great chance to test the BC/DR plan. By determining the following steps, you can continue through the process to analyze how the process would have worked had it needed to be initiated. Although this type of testing is similar to scenario testing, it is more powerful because the scenario is genuine, fresh, and is an on-the-spot test rather than a planned one. However, like scenario testing, this may not be the most accurate test of the system if they are not physically tested.
System Testing
For this method, you don’t need a specific scenario or storyline to run the test. Instead, you run your recovery processes to ensure that they work smoothly. This is a suitable method for ensuring that the systems are responsive and that the functions work as planned. In addition, system testing can be scheduled downtime, which will help reduce or eliminate disruptions to business operations during testing.
It is a good idea to use more than one testing method to get the most out of your testing, and you should also consider how frequently testing is run. There is no one-size-fits-all testing schedule, as testing depends on the complexity of the systems and processes and the business’s budget and cost of testing. However, once the business continuity plan has been thoroughly tested, revised for improvement, and set in stone, everyone who plays a role in the disaster recovery process will need to be trained on their steps in the event of a disaster. Any changes made to the plan during testing must be shared with the affected staff members so that they are as up-to-date with the process as possible. An effective disaster recovery plan has many functions that rely on people to initiate and fulfill individual processes within the plan, so each person must learn their part. In addition to catching and solving potential gaps in the plan, BC/DR testing is also beneficial for staff members to practice their responses and become familiar with their roles and responsibilities before, during, and after an emergency. In the middle of a disaster, tensions and anxiety will be high, and this may cause the process to become more complex, especially if the business is not as prepared as possible to respond to the event. This is another reason why having staff members already familiar with the processes will be largely beneficial in helping the business reach its RPO/RTO goals.
In conclusion
The importance of business continuity and disaster recovery testing is based on maintenance and continuous improvement. The bottom line is that by maintaining and revising the plan, the business can prepare itself and its staff to respond effectively to a disaster so that the company can continue operating with as little disruption as possible.
FAQ
In summary, what are the 3 types of exercises performed in BCP?
The three types of exercises performed in a business continuity plan (BCP) are:
a. Scenario Testing: This type of testing simulates a disaster or disruption to critical business operations and tests the response of personnel and systems. The test can range from a discussion-based exercise to a full-scale simulation of the event.
b. System Testing: System testing involves testing the recovery processes and the systems involved in the plan to ensure they work smoothly. This type of testing is suitable for ensuring the systems are responsive and that the functions work as planned.
c. Escalation Testing: This type of testing involves testing the BCP response during the earliest stages of a potential disaster or disruption. It is a genuine, fresh, and on-the-spot test rather than a planned one, making it more powerful than scenario testing.
What is the exercise to test a business continuity plan?
The exercise to test a business continuity plan (BCP) is a process of running through simulated scenarios of potential disasters or disruptions to critical business operations. The purpose of the exercise is to evaluate the effectiveness of the BCP and identify any gaps or weaknesses in the plan. The exercise involves testing the response of the personnel and the systems involved in the plan to ensure they can effectively handle the disaster or disruption.
How do you perform a business continuity exercise?
To perform a business continuity exercise, the following steps can be taken:
a. Determine the scope and objectives of the exercise: Define the scope of the exercise, including the scenarios to be simulated, the personnel involved, and the systems to be tested.
b. Choose the testing method: Select the appropriate testing method, such as scenario testing, system testing, or escalation testing, based on the objectives of the exercise.
c. Plan and prepare: Develop a detailed plan and identify the resources required to conduct the exercise, including personnel, systems, and facilities.
d. Conduct the exercise: Conduct the exercise according to the plan, simulating the scenario and testing the response of personnel and systems.
e. Evaluate the results: Evaluate the effectiveness of the BCP response and identify any gaps or weaknesses in the plan.
f. Revise and improve the plan: Use the results of the exercise to revise and improve the BCP, making it more effective in handling potential disasters or disruptions.
What is the goal of BCP exercise testing?
The goal of BCP exercising testing is to evaluate the effectiveness of the BCP and identify any gaps or weaknesses in the plan. Testing the plan allows for improvements to be made to the BCP, ensuring that it is effective in handling potential disasters or disruptions. The goal is to ensure that the personnel and systems involved in the plan can respond quickly and effectively to any situation, minimizing the impact on critical business operations. Through testing, organizations can be confident that their BCP will work as planned, protecting their business and customers in the event of a disaster or disruption.
