Definition
Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP) is the process of creating a roadmap to resume business operations after a disruptive event. It involves identifying critical business functions, assessing potential threats, and establishing procedures and resources to restore IT systems and data. DRP ensures that an organization can minimize downtime and data loss by outlining specific steps for recovery, such as data backups, redundant systems, and failover protocols. This planning is crucial for maintaining business continuity, protecting sensitive information, and preserving customer trust in the face of unforeseen circumstances. For instance, a retail company might develop a DRP to quickly restore its e-commerce platform after a major power outage. While related to business continuity planning (BCP), DRP specifically focuses on the IT infrastructure recovery aspect. This concept is frequently tested in cybersecurity certifications like Security+ and CySA+.