Maryland Municipality Leverages Dataprise for Disaster Recover and Business Continuity Plan Creation

Client Profile

A Maryland municipality faced the challenge of feeling insufficiently prepared for disasters despite having a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP). They lacked a formal Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) and Business Continuity Plan (BCP), which are essential for ensuring comprehensive preparedness and resilience in the face of emergencies. They sought assistance to strengthen their plan and improve their readiness for potential disruptions.

Client’s Challenges & Dataprise’s Approach

The municipality recognized their existing disaster recovery plan was inadequate for ensuring business continuity and minimizing disruptions during emergencies. They were concerned about the potential impact on critical services and infrastructure in the event of a disaster, especially if there was a significant disaster event or prolonged outages.

Dataprise’s approach began with conducting a comprehensive Business Impact Analysis (BIA) that encompassed critical areas of the municipality’s operations, including Administration, Police, and Department of Public Works. We analyzed the dependencies of underlying infrastructure and applications to understand their interrelationships. Using this information, we ascertained recovery time objectives (RTO) and recovery point objectives (RPO), prioritized applications into criticality tiers, and recommended projects to close gaps in their disaster recovery preparedness. Additionally, we wrote documentation to support the governance of a disaster recovery program, ensuring clarity and accountability in the implementation and maintenance of the plan.

Solution Implemented

Based on our analysis and findings from the BIA, we developed a tailored disaster recovery plan that addressed the municipality’s specific needs and requirements. The plan included detailed procedures for responding to disasters with clear guidelines for recovery timeframes and data loss tolerance based on the criticality of applications. The BIA and corresponding project recommendations helped the municipality justify budget requests to support improved disaster recovery response.

Implementation Process

During the implementation phase, we worked closely with the municipality to ensure completeness and accuracy. We conducted training sessions to familiarize staff with the BIA results, as well as their roles and responsibilities during a disaster, and conducted tabletop exercises to test the plan’s effectiveness.

Results Achieved

Following the implementation of the new disaster recovery plan, the municipality reported a significant improvement in their readiness for disasters. They were better equipped to respond to emergencies, resulting in minimal disruptions to critical services and infrastructure. They also felt peace of mind that their obligations for disaster recovery preparedness were being met.

Lessons Learned

Through our work with the municipality, we learned the importance of regularly reviewing and updating disaster recovery plans to ensure they remain effective and relevant. We also gained insights into the unique challenges faced by municipalities in disaster preparedness.

Conclusion

Our collaboration with the Maryland municipality highlights the importance of robust disaster recovery planning in ensuring business continuity and minimizing the impact of disasters. By enhancing their preparedness, the municipality is better positioned to protect its residents and infrastructure in the face of emergencies.