Disaster Recovery CI-CD

Enhanced Disaster Recovery Plan for Systems Administrators

Change Control Considerations before you begin this project

Change Control and Implementation Plan

Change Control Record

A Change Control Record is a crucial component of the change management process. It contains the following key details:

• Change Request Number: A unique identifier for tracking changes.
• Change Request Date: The date when the change request was initiated.
• Requested by - Name and Position: Identify the individual responsible for the change.
• Description of the Change: A concise description of what the change entails.
• Justification for the Change: The rationale or reason behind the proposed change.
• Impact Assessment: This includes evaluating potential risks and specifying mitigation measures.
• Change Priority: Assign a priority level (e.g., low, medium, high) to indicate the change’s urgency.
• Change Category: Categorize the change, whether it’s related to hardware, software, or procedural aspects.
• Change Implementation Date/Time: Specify when the change will be executed.
• Change Approver and Approval Date: Identify the person responsible for approving the change and the date of approval.

Document Control Information

Document control is essential to maintain version history and ownership of documents. It includes the following details:

• Document Title: The title of the document being changed.
• Document Number: A unique identifier for the document.
• Revision History: Keep track of previous revisions and changes made to the document.
• Date of Last Revision: The date when the document was last modified.
• Document Owner: Identify the person responsible for the document.
• Distribution List: Specify who needs to receive or access the document.

Change Implementation Plan

The Change Implementation Plan outlines how the change will be executed. It consists of the following components:

• Scope of the Change: Define the boundaries and extent of the change.
• Steps Involved in Implementing the Change: A detailed list of tasks and actions required for the change.
• Resources Required for the Change: Identify the personnel, equipment, and tools needed.
• Timeline for Each Step: Create a schedule, indicating when each step should begin and end.
• Testing and Validation Procedures: Outline how the change will be tested to ensure it meets the desired objectives.
• Rollback Plan: In case the change doesn’t go as planned, provide a plan to revert to the previous state.

Communication and Notification

Communication and notification are vital during any change. It involves the following aspects:

• Stakeholders Affected by the Change: Identify all individuals, teams, or departments impacted by the change.
• Communication Plan: Describe how and when communication will take place regarding the change.
• Notification Process for Impacted Parties: Specify how individuals or groups will be informed about the change.
• Training Requirements for Personnel Involved in the Change: Outline any training needs for those involved in implementing the change.

This comprehensive change control and implementation plan ensures that changes are managed systematically and transparently, minimizing disruptions and mitigating risks.

Clarify and Prioritize Goals:

• Prioritize goals based on organizational significance, e.g., minimizing interruptions to normal operations and ensuring smooth and rapid service restoration as primary goals.

Goals:

• Minimize interruptions to normal operations.
• Limit disruption and damage.
• Minimize economic impact.
• Establish alternative means of operation in advance.
• Train personnel in emergency procedures.
• Provide for smooth and rapid restoration of service.

Include a Timeline:

• Incorporate a timeline for each step, indicating when actions should be initiated and completed to ensure a structured and timely response during a disaster.

Personnel Information:

• Expand personnel information section to include:
  • Email addresses
  • Emergency contact numbers
  • Alternate contact persons in case the primary contact is unavailable.

Application Profile Enhancements:

• Add fields to application profiles for:
  • Dependencies on other applications.
  • Required resources.
  • Known vulnerabilities.

Inventory Profile Improvements:

• Provide a detailed inventory list, including specific models, quantities, and location information for:
  • Processing units.
  • Printers.
  • Disk units.
  • Optical devices.
  • Controllers.

Backup Procedures:

• Specify the storage location and access control measures for the off-site save media.
• Incorporate a verification process to ensure backup integrity.

Disaster Recovery Procedures:

• Expand plan initiation steps to include instructions on assessing the severity of the disaster and determining whether to activate the full disaster recovery plan or specific actions.

Mobile Site Recovery Plan:

• Provide detailed instructions on how to select, set up, and equip a mobile site.
• Include a checklist of required equipment and contacts for service providers.

Hot Site Recovery Plan:

• Describe the process for establishing the alternate site, ensuring data synchronization between the primary site and the hot site during recovery.

Testing and Evaluation:

• Elaborate on the importance of conducting regular and comprehensive testing of the disaster recovery plan.
• Include simulated disaster scenarios and post-test evaluations to identify areas for improvement.

Rebuilding Process:

• Outline the steps involved in assessing the damage, planning, and executing the reconstruction of the data center.
• Consider infrastructure, equipment, and data restoration.

Record of Plan Changes:

• Establish a clear process for documenting and updating changes to the plan, including configuration updates, application modifications, and backup schedule adjustments.
• Ensure the plan remains relevant and up to date.