Disaster recovery and business continuity are two essential components of an organization's risk management plan, but they serve different purposes. Disaster recovery focuses specifically on the processes and technologies needed to restore IT systems and operations after a disruptive event, such as hardware failure, cyber-attacks, or natural disasters. By contrast, business continuity encompasses a broader approach that ensures the entire organization can continue operating during and after various disruptions, not solely limited to IT-related issues. This includes maintaining functions like human resources, communication, and supply chain management.
For example, if a company experiences a major data center outage, its disaster recovery plan would involve restoring data from backups, reinstalling software, and getting servers back online. This is a technical task centered around IT. In contrast, a business continuity plan would consider how to keep the business running as usual during this outage. This may involve operational adjustments, such as allowing employees to work remotely, reallocating resources to different locations, or initiating alternative communication methods with clients and partners to manage expectations.
Moreover, the scope of business continuity planning is much broader. It not only involves recovery of IT systems but also considers aspects such as employee safety, customer service, and financial stability. For instance, if a natural disaster affects physical offices, a business continuity plan might outline how to quickly set up temporary working locations or ensure ongoing customer service through alternative channels. In summary, while disaster recovery provides a focused response to IT disruptions, business continuity looks at keeping the entire business operational through a range of potential crises.