Resilient Operations: Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Training Course

Introduction

In an increasingly unpredictable world, robust disaster recovery & business continuity planning is no longer optional, but a fundamental imperative for organizational survival and resilience. This essential training course focuses on Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Planning, equipping participants with the methodologies and strategies to anticipate, prepare for, and respond effectively to disruptions, from cyberattacks to natural calamities. You will learn to identify critical business functions, develop comprehensive recovery strategies, and implement robust plans that ensure continuous operations and minimize financial and reputational damage. Mastering disaster recovery & business continuity planning is crucial for safeguarding assets, maintaining stakeholder trust, and securing long-term organizational stability in any operational environment.

This intensive training course delves into the practical application of cutting-edge principles for effective disaster recovery and comprehensive business continuity planning. We will explore risk assessment methodologies, impact analysis techniques, and the development of detailed recovery plans for various types of disruptions. Participants will gain hands-on experience in drafting continuity plans, conducting mock drills, and establishing robust communication strategies for crisis situations. By the end of this training course, you will possess the expertise to design, implement, and test effective disaster recovery & business continuity plans that ensure your organization can withstand unforeseen events, maintain critical operations, and swiftly return to normalcy, protecting your vital assets and reputation.

Target Audience

• Business Continuity Managers
• IT Managers & Directors
• Risk Management Professionals
• Operations Managers
• Senior Leadership
• Compliance Officers
• Emergency Response Team Members

Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamental concepts of disaster recovery and business continuity planning.
• Learn how to conduct comprehensive business impact analysis (BIA) and risk assessments.
• Master the process of developing effective disaster recovery plans (DRP).
• Develop skills in creating robust business continuity plans (BCP) for various scenarios.
• Understand strategies for protecting critical data and IT infrastructure during disruptions.
• Learn how to establish and manage an effective emergency response team.
• Explore different types of disaster recovery sites and their suitability.
• Master communication strategies for internal and external stakeholders during a crisis.
• Understand the importance of regular testing and maintenance of DR/BC plans.
• Learn how to integrate DR/BC planning with overall organizational risk management.
• Develop metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of disaster recovery and business continuity efforts.
• Explore the role of technology and automation in enhancing DR/BC capabilities.
• Apply best practices to develop a comprehensive disaster recovery and business continuity framework for your organization.

Duration

5 Days

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

• Defining disaster recovery (DR) and business continuity planning (BCP).
• Understanding the interrelationship between DR and BCP.
• Recognizing the critical importance of resilience in today's business environment.
• Exploring common types of disasters and disruptions affecting organizations.
• Overview of industry standards and regulatory requirements for DR/BC.

Module 2: Business Impact Analysis (BIA)

• Understanding the purpose and methodology of conducting a business impact analysis.
• Identifying critical business functions and processes.
• Determining recovery time objectives (RTO) and recovery point objectives (RPO).
• Quantifying the financial and operational impacts of potential disruptions.
• Prioritizing business functions for recovery based on their criticality.

Module 3: Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies

• Learning how to identify and assess potential threats and vulnerabilities.
• Understanding quantitative and qualitative risk assessment methodologies.
• Developing strategies for mitigating identified risks.
• Implementing preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of disruptions.
• Integrating risk assessment findings into DR and BC plan development.

Module 4: Developing the Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP)

• Key components of a comprehensive disaster recovery plan (DRP).
• Strategies for data backup, replication, and restoration.
• Planning for IT infrastructure recovery (servers, networks, applications).
• Developing recovery procedures for specific IT systems and services.
• Establishing clear roles and responsibilities within the DRP team.

Module 5: Building the Business Continuity Plan (BCP)

• Structuring a robust business continuity plan for maintaining essential operations.
• Developing continuity strategies for critical business processes (e.g., finance, HR, sales).
• Planning for alternate work locations and remote work capabilities.
• Ensuring the availability of essential resources (personnel, equipment, supplies).
• Integrating vendor and supplier continuity into the BCP.

Module 6: Crisis Communication and Emergency Response

• Establishing a clear crisis communication plan for internal and external stakeholders.
• Developing communication templates and protocols for various scenarios.
• Building and training an effective emergency response team.
• Understanding incident command systems and crisis management frameworks.
• Conducting effective post-crisis debriefings and lessons learned.

Module 7: Testing, Maintenance, and Review of Plans

• Understanding the importance of regular testing of DR and BC plans.
• Exploring different testing methodologies (e.g., tabletop exercises, simulations, full-scale drills).
• Developing a schedule for ongoing plan maintenance and updates.
• Incorporating lessons learned from tests and actual incidents into plan revisions.
• Ensuring continuous improvement of DR/BC capabilities.

Module 8: Integration and Continuous Improvement

• Integrating disaster recovery & business continuity with overall organizational risk management.
• Developing metrics and KPIs to measure DR/BC program effectiveness.
• Exploring the role of advanced technologies (e.g., cloud-based DR, automation) in enhancing resilience.
• Fostering a culture of resilience and preparedness throughout the organization.
• Developing a long-term strategy for sustained organizational continuity and recovery.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.