Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
Business continuity planning (BCP) ensures critical business functions continue during a disruption, while disaster recovery planning (DRP) focuses on restoring IT systems and data after a disaster.
Explanation
BCP encompasses the entire organization's ability to maintain operations, while DRP specifically addresses IT infrastructure recovery. Key metrics include Recovery Time Objective (RTO) — the maximum acceptable downtime — and Recovery Point Objective (RPO) — the maximum acceptable data loss measured in time. Backup site options range from hot sites (fully equipped, immediate switchover), warm sites (partially equipped), to cold sites (empty facility, cheapest but slowest recovery).
Key Points
- •RTO = maximum tolerable downtime; RPO = maximum tolerable data loss
- •Hot site: fastest recovery, most expensive; cold site: cheapest, slowest
- •BCP covers all business functions; DRP focuses specifically on IT recovery
Exam Tip
Hot site = ready immediately but most costly. Cold site = cheapest but takes longest to activate. Warm site is the middle ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Topics
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