Testing and Training

April 25, 2018 - What do you think would happen if a Broadway play had no rehearsals? The actors all know their lines, but now the curtain is going up and nobody knows where to stand, where to exit, or where the props are. So they each know their parts but they have no idea how they work together. That play would probably close right after opening night. So what would happen if you had to use your business continuity plan(s) in a crisis without any kind of rehearsal? Would your people know what to do, where to go, who's in charge? We doubt it. See this issue for some tips on testing that will help your plan work when it's called on.

You can't wait until the crisis to use your business continuity plan. (Item #1)  Three fundamental test types are used in business continuity testing: a plan review, a tabletop test, and a simulation test. Each is examined here. (Item #2)  By practicing regular digital fire drills, organizations and their employees will be empowered with knowledge and tools to limit the damage and ensure the organization is on the fast road to recovery. (Item #3) 

The biggest exposure to the risk of any organization is the implementation of an 'untested' plan or the expectation that 'untested aspects' of a partially tested plan will function as well as the tested components. (Item #4)  These 19 tips can help you make your testing more interesting and more relevant. (Item #5)  Unfortunately, most recovery plan testing is limited to a tabletop—not an operational fail-over. (Item #6)


For the full issue, click here.