Chris Bakowski: The art of effective exercising

As we are all aware, a business continuity plan is only effective if it accurately reflects the needs, technology and structure of the organization. But, more importantly, a business continuity plan can only be considered to be truly effective if the content and the components of the plan have been exercised.

Continuous exercising ensures that there are no gaps or issues; that the key people involved in either the emergency response and / or business recovery teams are fully aware of their respective roles and responsibilities; and helps ensure that teams will interact effectively during a major operational disaster.

I am often asked what is required to ensure that an exercise is effective? In essence the key components of an effective exercise can be broken down into three simple activities:

1. Planning and preparation
2. The exercise itself
3. Exercise outcomes and remediation.

more of the Continuity Central article By Chris Bakowski

Alex Carroll

Managing Member at Lifeline Data Centers

Alex, co-owner, is responsible for all real estate, construction and mission critical facilities: hardened buildings, power systems, cooling systems, fire suppression, and environmentals. Alex also manages relationships with the telecommunications providers and has an extensive background in IT infrastructure support, database administration and software design and development. Alex architected Lifeline’s proprietary GRCA system and is hands-on every day in the data center.