Business Continuity is NOT Disaster Recovery
I just returned from Asia where I was fortunate to have a number of conversations with IT professionals from Seoul and Kuala Lumpur. One thing I observed, which I obviously think is worth repeating, is the confusion surrounding Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery. The confusion is that many people consider them to be one and the same. They are not.
In simple terms Business Continuity Planning (BCP) is working out how to stay in business following a disaster. Disaster Recovery (DR) is the process, policies and procedures related to preparing for recovery or to the continuation of technology infrastructure operations critical to an organization after a natural or human-induced disaster. Disaster Recovery is an integral part of any BCP and the part that is overlooked on a regular basis. In sum, these disciplines go hand in hand and when they do not, companies can suffer tremendous losses.
Here is a recent example of a failed BC/DR Strategy:
