Does Your Data Center DR Plan Address Your Company Web Site?
Several years ago, eCommerce (also known as the company Web site) was included in the inventory of equipment managed by the data center but was not included in any formal disaster recovery plan documentation. It was simply viewed as a new facility or service that didn’t really support a critical business function. In fact, it was not uncommon for people to think it would never be a critical business function.
Amazingly, things have changed in recent years. Today, company Web sites are considered very critical functions. What image would be presented if the Web site simply went away? In many cases today, companies take orders via their Web site. Certainly any disruption in taking orders would be viewed as a major problem.
When developing a disaster recovery plan for a web site, several aspects differ from traditional data center disaster recovery plans. For example, consider the following:
- A cyber Incident, such as a virus attack, may not bring down the data center as in a fire or explosion. But it can be just as serious. And when should the typical DR plan activate?
- Often a different team of people (as in team) addresses Web site issues such as virus attacks. Are they identified as a special team on the DR plan?
- When unplanned situations disable the Web site, a quick response is needed. It doesn’t take long for people to notice that it is down.
- If your recovery solution for the Web site includes a co-location vendor or site, has a risk assessment and/or service capability study been performed? It’s too late after the site has moved and a problem takes the Web site down. Have you checked it out?
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GO.RECOVEReBIZ: Disaster Recovery Plan for e-Commerce, by Persson Associates is specifically designed to assist in developing a disaster recovery plan for e-Commerce, Internet based company applications in an orderly and efficient manner. The 2nd Edition (2007/2008) is now available.
