By Pasquale Saccomanno, ISL Engineering computers

& Vito Mangialardi, MTS Allstream

An engineering company describes how it set up formalized

recovery systems in case its information systems should ever fail

BE PREPARED FOR
.1 DISASTERS
L
ike most organ iziitions, ISL Kiigineeiing and Land
Senices (ISL) of Edmonton relies heavily upon infor-
mation technology and the use of electronic data. For
this reason, it took action to protect against die poten-
tial of n failures and loss of data. The aim was to ensure that
in such an event, the company could recover quickly and
not risk its relationship with clients.
A company can lose its IT infrastructure and suffer an
interruption of business due to many causes, includitig;
hardware/platibnn failure
fire, smoke or water damage
power outages
employee theft or fraud
man-made disasters such as sabotage,
terrorism, hacking or \iinses
natural disasters such as eartliquakes,
flooding or hurricanes.
Some may argue that such disasters occtir so rarely, they
do not justify businesses spending the time and finances to Above: ISL staff (David Stoddart and Pasquale Saccomanno) checking
server equipment.
prepare a disaster recoveiy plan (DRP) and btisiness conti-
nuit)' plan (B(T). This, however, is a myopic and dangerous
frame of thought. 2. Site Risk Assessment. This identified the risks that
In 2007, ISL undertook to develop a formalized IT dis- pose the greatest threat to the company's husiness assets
aster recoveiy plan. To assist with tbis plan, ISL retained and operations. It also provided a technology-based review
MTS Allstream's Professional Services Delivery Division. of the IT infrastructure to determine its capability and
Tbe division inchides individuals cerlifled by the Disaster robustness.
Recovei-y Institute Catiada as Business Continuity Planning 3. Recoveiy Procedtires and Documentation. Tbese
Professionals. define the resources, actions, tasks and data required to
To address preser\"ation and continued operation of the manage the business and recover the IT systenis in tbe event
company's IT infrastructure, tbe plan provided for; of an intermption.
the protection and security of data It is important to note tbat in order for an IT disaster
reducing event response and recovery time recover plan and htisiness continuity plan to be successful,
improving organizational support and resilience they mtist be manageable, adaptable and realistic.
reducing risk and exposure to loss To ensure the continuity of IT operations, organiza-
creating value tbat is recoguized by all stakeboldere. tions should assess five key IT infrastructure components:
The project was exectited over two montlis, and bad facilities, bardware, network, data and IT departmental
three key components: resources.
1. A Btisiness Impact Assessment. This not only est:ib- WTien crisis strikes, hardware and networks can usually be
lished tbe business recoveiy time objective, but also identi- quickly replaced, and facilities can Ix' relocated, ('.(irporate
fied critical btisiness processes with related internal and data, on tJie other hand, may require extra consideration.
external interdependencies. continued on page 40

June/July 2008 Canadian Consulting Engineer 35

 continued from page 35

Justifying the plan

Justifying the investment in IT disaster recover)' programs
involves more ian identiying consequences ifthe compa-
ny fails to act. Senior management needs to be given a btisi-
ness case that clearly outlines the costs and benefiis of dis-
aster recover}' planning in terms that are relevant to the
financial performance of the organization. In terms o ben-
efits, a formalized plan pays positive dividends not only
towards the stinival of the business, but also towards build-
ing employee and customer confidence.
Business and IT recovery planning and preparedne.ss is
a day-to-day practice and must be the responsibilit)' of a Above: computer generated graphic of the ISL Edmonton office showing
location of the IT server equipment.
business unit that is ready to execute such a plan. It
requires the appropriate investment of resources, includ-
ing time and finances. tion technolog\' research and advisor) company, estimates
Given die current world conditions and volatile eco- that two out offivecompanies that experience a large scale
nomic environment, organizations today can't aibrd not to disaster will likely he out of business within five years. C
have strategies to protect dieir data and business continuity
as part of their overall disaster recovery plans. Pasquak Saccamnnno is a senior IT manager with ISL Engineer-
The impacts of data loss can be far-reaching and can ing and Land Snviri's of Edvwnlon, xinin.slengmmng.com. Vito
result in the loss of real dollars, client dissatisfaction, share- Mangialardi, CBCP, PMP is a senior manager responsible for the
holder insecurities and an overall negative corporate image. carfmrate emerges planning, response and recovery operations for
The Gartner Group, which is ie world's leading inihrma- Canada at MI'S Allslream. wvw. m Isa Istream, corn

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40 www.canadianconsultingengineer.com June/July 200S