The importance of the Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP)

Although cyberattacks, hardware and software failures, natural disasters, or even human errors are increasingly frequent, many companies still lack a solid Disaster Recovery Plan. The concern is not only the absence or ignorance of a procedure or document as such, but the lack of culture and clear processes to respond to a contingency. In an environment where every minute of downtime translates into economic and reputational losses, improvisation should not be an option.

In many organizations, backups are performed irregularly, without verifying their integrity, and without a defined update cycle. But the most common and costly mistake is not testing the restoration. It is useless to have terabytes of backups if, when the time comes, they cannot be recovered within the necessary time or the data is corrupted. Periodic testing is the only way to ensure that procedures work, that those responsible know how to execute them, and that RTO and RPO objectives are met in practice, not just in theory. Added to this is the importance of configuring alerts and daily reports on backup platforms to detect failures in time and avoid surprises on the day they are really needed.

Nowadays, ransomware is one of the biggest risks to business continuity. These attacks not only encrypt production systems, but if backups are accessible from the same network, ransomware will also try to encrypt them. Therefore, it is crucial to apply measures such as immutable backups (which cannot be modified or deleted) and network segmentation to protect the copies.

A fundamental principle for data protection is the 3-2-1 rule: make at least 3 copies of the information, stored on 2 different media, and with 1 offsite copy at a reasonable physical distance, or in the cloud. This practice minimizes the risk of loss and ensures service restoration and business continuity in the worst possible scenarios.

Regarding the importance of a “reasonable physical distance,” there is a real example that perfectly illustrates it. On September 11, 2001, some companies lost all their information because their main data center was in one of the Twin Towers and their backup copy in the other. When both collapsed, there was nothing left to recover.

Having an updated and documented list of all technological and information assets (CMDB) is fundamental for an effective DRP. Without a detailed inventory, it is impossible to identify which systems, applications, and data are critical for business operation. This classification is the basis for prioritizing resources and efforts during recovery, ensuring that what truly impacts continuity is restored first and minimizing downtime. Additionally, clear documentation facilitates coordination among teams and speeds up decision-making in times of crisis.

An effective DRP is not only the responsibility of the IT department; it is a commitment that involves the entire organization. Each critical area must know its role in case of disaster, from process prioritization to communication with customers and suppliers. Business continuity does not depend solely on technology but on coordination among people, processes, and systems. Without a culture of resilience, even the best plan can remain just on paper.

Having a DRP is not just a good practice; in many sectors, it is a regulatory obligation. Standards and frameworks such as ISO/IEC 27001, the National Security Scheme (ENS), or the DORA regulation for the financial sector require business continuity and disaster recovery plans. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to sanctions, loss of certifications, and even regulatory restrictions, so a well-designed DRP is also a key tool for governance and compliance.

Ultimately, the question is not if an incident will occur, but when. And when that moment comes, only companies that have invested in preparation will be able to continue operating normally. An effective DRP, supported by updated, monitored backups distributed following the 3-2-1 rule and with periodic restoration tests, is not an expense, it is a survival policy for the business.

And finally, a key question: is your company really prepared? To self-assess, it is necessary to answer the following questions with guarantees:

• Do you have backups following the 3-2-1 rule?

• Do you perform restoration tests at least twice a year?

• Have you defined and documented your RTO and RPO?

• Does the plan involve critical areas and not just IT?

If you have doubts about any of these answers, your DRP needs attention.

Daniel Calzada, IT Manager at Zerolynx by Cybertix