Recovery Strategies

Strategy 3 How to Recover from a Loss of Technology

If there is a pervasive interruption to the information technology environment, this strategy
describes response activities to expedite technology restoration and sustain the business during its
absence.

Loss of Technology
If there is an interruption to one or more critical IT applications or technologies, this strategy will describe
response activities and / or alternate methods of operation (inclusive of manual workarounds).
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ASSESS POSSIBLE DEPARTMENT IMPACTS
Based on the situation and the anticipated loss of IT applications or technologies (taking
into account anticipated duration of the disruption), revisit and confirm the possible
impacts in order to confirm the applicability of recovery objectives. If possible, consult
the business impact analysis. If unanticipated impacts are noted, prepare to discuss the
unanticipated issue with management.

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EVALUATE ALTERNATE PROCEDURES

Assess established alternate procedures and manual workarounds (including those
already implemented) for their viability during this loss of critical IT applications or
technologies. If necessary, begin to document any additional procedures or manual
workarounds that the department could utilize that are not listed in this plan. Contact
management with the issue(s) and recommendation(s).

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REVIEW RECOVERY OBJECTIVES AND PLANNED ASSUMPTIONS

Based on a review of the possible impacts, review recovery priorities identified in this
plan. If any recovery objectives require revision based on the situation, contact
management with the recommendation.

ROLE

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PARTICIPATE IN THE INITIAL ASSESSMENT AS DIRECTED

This department may be asked to participate in a situation assessment in conjunction
with management, or departmental personnel may be asked to validate recovered
application functionality.

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COMMUNICATE WITH INTERDEPENDENT DEPARTMENTS

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ROLE

In order to coordinate the performance of business activities and meet internal/thirdparty expectations, contact dependent and downstream departments.
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DOCUMENT TEAM NOTIFICATION INFORMATION

Based on the situation, management will provide situation details and information
regarding key message points to communicate to departmental personnel. Document
these points and develop the department-specific message.

COMMUNICATE WITH THIRD PARTIES

It may be necessary to begin coordinating with or updating third-parties. If so, work with
management to draft key message points.

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NOTIFY TEAM MEMBERS

Communicate all required information from management [or other team/department],
as well as department specific information (objectives, timing, roles/responsibilities,
manual workarounds/alternate procedures). If you are unable to reach anyone,
document this information in this plan.

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IMPLEMENT ALTERNATE PROCEDURES

Implement and perform (as appropriate) viable manual workarounds or alternate
procedures as noted in this plan. At the RTO, reach out to the following entities for
support as appropriate:

Information Technology
Procurement
Facilities

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If there are any issues obtaining support, contact management.

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CONNECT TO RECOVERED TECHNOLOGIES

Work with IT to connect to the recovered technologies, which may include making the
following configuration changes on desktop computers and laptops:

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[Insert Configuration 1]
[Insert Configuration X]

PARTICIPATE IN TESTING RECOVERED TECHNOLOGIES

Work with IT to test recovered application(s) to ensure the application processes as
appropriate. Be prepared to execute test scripts [Insert Location] to evaluate data loss
and application functionality.

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EVALUATE DATA INTEGRITY
Evaluate any data loss that may have occurred and confirm with IT if any data loss is
permanent. Identify strategies to recreate or mitigate the loss of unexpected data.

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COMMUNICATE WITH INTERDEPENDENT DEPARTMENTS

In order to coordinate the performance of business activities and meet internal/thirdparty expectations, contact dependent and downstream departments.

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USE RECOVERED TECHNOLOGIES

Begin use of recovered technologies to meet established department recovery
objectives. Contact IT if there are any issues with the recovered technologies.

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RECREATE DATA AND CATCH UP DELAYED PROCESSING

In the event of data loss, or if manual processes resulted in hard copy data that needs to
be entered into systems, begin the process of correcting the systems data integrity
issue. If this is impossible, choose a point in time to recover and coordinate this decision
with IT and other interdependent departments.

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ROLE

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COMMUNICATE WITH THIRD PARTIES

It may be necessary to begin coordinating with or updating third-parties. If so, work with
management to draft key message points.

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