Which of the following is the most complete disaster recovery plan test type, to be performed after successfully completing the Parallel test?
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A. B. C. D.A.
The difference between this and the full-interruption test is that the primary production processing of the business does not stop; the test processing runs in parallel to the real processing.
This is the most common type of disaster recovery plan testing.
A checklist test is only considered a preliminary step to a real test.
In a structured walk-through test, business unit management representatives meet to walk through the plan, ensuring it accurately reflects the organization's ability to recover successfully, at least on paper.
A simulation test is aimed at testing the ability of the personnel to respond to a simulated disaster, but not recovery process is actually performed.
Source: KRUTZ, Ronald L.
& VINES, Russel.
D., The CISSP Prep Guide: Mastering the Ten Domains of Computer Security, John Wiley & Sons, 2001, Chapter 8: Business Continuity Planning and Disaster Recovery Planning (page 289).
The most complete disaster recovery plan test type, to be performed after successfully completing the parallel test, is the Full Interruption test. This test involves completely shutting down the primary system and switching to the backup system. It is designed to test the effectiveness of the entire disaster recovery plan, including the backup system's ability to handle the load of the primary system, the recovery time objective, and the recovery point objective.
A Full Interruption test is an intensive and high-risk test, and it should only be performed after all other tests have been successfully completed. It is important to perform this test in a controlled environment with all stakeholders notified and involved in the test. The Full Interruption test should also be carefully planned, with contingency plans in place in case of any unexpected issues.
In a Full Interruption test, the primary system is shut down, and the backup system takes over all of its functions. The goal of the test is to evaluate how well the backup system can perform the primary system's functions, including processing transactions and handling user requests. The test also evaluates the recovery time and recovery point objectives, which are key metrics in a disaster recovery plan.
During the Full Interruption test, it is important to monitor the performance of the backup system closely. Any issues that arise during the test should be documented and addressed. Once the test is complete, a thorough review should be conducted to identify any areas for improvement in the disaster recovery plan.
In summary, the Full Interruption test is the most complete disaster recovery plan test type, and it is designed to test the entire disaster recovery plan, including the backup system's ability to handle the load of the primary system, the recovery time objective, and the recovery point objective. It is a high-risk test that should only be performed after all other tests have been successfully completed, and it should be carefully planned and executed in a controlled environment with all stakeholders involved.