The Most Important Aspect of a Live Disaster Test
Question
Prior to a live disaster test also called a Full Interruption test, which of the following is most important?
Answers
Explanations
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A. B. C. D.D.
A live disaster test or Full interruption test is an actual simulation of the Disaster Recovery Plan.
All operations are shut down and brought back online at the alternate site.
This test poses the biggest threat to an organization and should not be performed until a successful Parallell Test has been conducted.
1.A Checklist test would be conducted where each of the key players will get a copy of the plan and they read it to make sure it has been properly developed for the specific needs of their departments.
2.A Structure Walk Through would be conducted next.This is when all key players meet together in a room and they walk through the test together to identify shortcoming and dependencies between department.
3.A simulation test would be next.In this case you go through a disaster scenario up to the point where you would move to the alternate site.You do not move to the alternate site and you learn from your mistakes and you improve the plan.It is the right time to find shortcomings.
4.A Parallell Test would be done.You go through a disaster scenario.You move to the alternate site and you process from both sites simultaneously.
5.A full interruption test would be conducted.You move to the alternate site and you resume processing at the alternate site.
The following answers are incorrect: Restore all files in preparation for the test.
Is incorrect because you would restore the files at the alternate site as part of the test not in preparation for the test.
Document expected findings.
Is incorrect because it is not the best answer.
Documenting the expected findings won't help if you have not performed tests prior to a Full interruption test or live disaster test.
Arrange physical security for the test site.
Is incorrect because it is not the best answer.
why physical security for the test site is important if you have not performed a successful structured walk-through prior to performing a Full interruption test or live disaster test you might have some unexpected and disasterous results.
Prior to a live disaster test, also known as a Full Interruption test, the most important step is to document expected findings (Option B).
Conducting a Full Interruption test is a critical and high-risk activity for any organization, as it involves intentionally shutting down critical systems to test the organization's disaster recovery and business continuity plans. The test aims to identify any gaps or weaknesses in the plans, as well as to assess the organization's ability to recover from a disaster.
Documenting expected findings before conducting the test is crucial because it helps the organization to:
Set clear expectations: By documenting expected findings, the organization can set clear expectations for what they hope to achieve from the test. This ensures that all stakeholders are aligned and working towards the same goals.
Identify potential issues: Documenting expected findings also helps the organization to identify potential issues that may arise during the test. This allows them to proactively address these issues and minimize their impact on the test.
Measure success: By documenting expected findings, the organization can measure the success of the test against predefined criteria. This helps to determine whether the organization's disaster recovery and business continuity plans are effective and whether they need to be revised.
While the other options listed in the question (Option A, C, and D) are important considerations for conducting a Full Interruption test, they are not as crucial as documenting expected findings.
Restoring all files in preparation for the test (Option A) is an important step, but it is not the most important one. The focus of the Full Interruption test is not on file restoration, but on testing the organization's ability to recover from a disaster.
Arranging physical security for the test site (Option C) is also important, as it helps to prevent unauthorized access to critical systems during the test. However, physical security measures should be in place at all times, not just during the test.
Conducting a successful Parallel Test (Option D) is also important, as it allows the organization to test its disaster recovery and business continuity plans without interrupting normal business operations. However, a Parallel Test is not a substitute for a Full Interruption test, as it does not provide the same level of insight into the organization's ability to recover from a disaster.
