The Contingency Planning guide (NIST SP 800-34) discusses contingency planning. Contingency planning includes the creation of detailed plans, procedures, and technical measures so that a system can be up and running as quickly and effectively as possible after a service interruption. Show
Contingency Planning guide for a federal information system (NIST SP 800-34) is a unique publication. Contingency planning includes the creation of detailed plans, procedures, and technical measures are made so that a system can be up and running as quickly and effectively as possible after a service interruption. In this article, I will discuss the 7 steps of the contingency planning process What is the NIST SP 800-84?Contingency Planning guide for a federal information system (NIST SP 800-34) is a unique publication, first published in June 2002 and later republished in May 2010. A contingency plan is a procedure that prepares the government, an organization, or even a business to respond effectually to unforeseen situations. Therefore, the contingency planning guide for the federal information system is a publication that contains plans that give detailed directions on how to respond in instances where the federal information systems are compromised. The publication, by definition, therefore, includes plans, recommendations, and instructions on how to create a contingency plan. Although the document was designed for the federal government, the rules therein also apply to private companies. The guide stipulates a seven-step contingency plan for organizations to develop a proper contingency plan and prepare for risks. Purpose of the NIST SP 800-84The contingency planning guide serves several purposes.
NIST SP 800-84 — Contingency Planning ProcessPlan development is the core of information system contingency planning, and includes the individual sections that make up the plan. NIST SP 800-34 provides guidance for developing these plans, which should be tailored to the needs of the organization. The purpose of the plan is to ensure that the information system can be recovered in the event of a disruption. The first step in plan development is to identify the critical components of the system. The next step is to determine the minimum acceptable level of service that must be maintained. Once these criteria have been established, the NIST SP 800-34 recommends considering a variety of recovery options, including redundancy, alternative sites, and backup systems. The final step is to develop detailed recovery procedures and test them regularly. By following these steps, organizations can ensure that their information systems are prepared for any eventuality.
Step 1 — Develop a contingency plan policy statementThe contingency plan policy statement is typically developed at the agency level, in this case, the NIST. This is a statement that addresses the organization's scope, purpose, and objectives. The policy should clarify the requirements and standards of the information system in question. Mission-critical functions must be maintained at all times, and employees must be aware of their roles and responsibilities in ensuring this. In the event of a power outage, for example, employees must know who is responsible for maintaining backup generators and how to operate them. Similarly, in the event of a fire, employees must know who is responsible for evacuating the premises and how to do so safely. This policy statement will ensure that all employees are aware of their role in maintaining business continuity in the event of a major disruption. By clearly outlining roles and responsibilities, businesses can minimize the disruption caused by disasters and maintain operations. Step 2 — Conduct the business impact analysisThe business impact analysis is used to determine the operational disruptions of an organization and the time needed to recover from disruptions. This type of analysis is important to businesses to be prepared, which can include anything from data breaches and natural disasters. The business impact analysis process includes four steps: identifying disruptions, determining the effect of disruptions on operations, quantifying the disruption's impact, and developing a plan to mitigate the disruption's impact. By conducting a business impact analysis, businesses can be better prepared for events and minimize the negative effects. Business Impact Analysis Process for the Information SystemStep 3 — Identify preventive controlsThe third step in the contingency plan is identifying measures that can be taken in an uncertain event. The actions taken need to ensure that the system goes back to normal as soon as possible and that minimal costs are spent on the contingency plan. The tick to this step is to ensure you balance the cost of the preventive controls against the cost of a potential disruption. Cost balancingStep 4 — Create contingency strategiesAs anyone who has ever dealt with a power outage or computer crash knows, it is important to have continuity of operations strategies in place. These strategies must be those that can be effected quickly to restore the system to normal. Whether it is a simple power backup plan or a more comprehensive disaster recovery plan, having a contingency strategy helps to ensure that your business can continue to run in the event of an outage or other unforeseen event. Of course, no matter how well-prepared you are, there is always the possibility of downtime. But by having a continuity of operations plans in place, you can minimize the impact of any downtime and get your business back up and running as quickly as possible. Step 5 — Develop an information system contingency planYou can never be too prepared for a disaster. That's why every business needs an IT disaster recovery plan. It's essential for maintaining operations and protecting data in the event of an unforeseen outage. The first step is to identify which systems are critical for your business. Then, you need to determine how long you can afford to be without each system. This will help you prioritize which systems have to be up and running first in the event of an interruption. Next, you have to create a backup plan for each system. This should include local backups as well as off-site backups in case of a complete power outage or physical damage to your premises. Finally, you need to test your plan regularly to ensure that it's still effective and that everyone knows what they have to do in the event of an emergency. By following these steps, you can develop a robust IT disaster recovery plan that will help keep your business running even in the most challenging circumstances. Step 6 — Test, train, and exercise the contingency plan.Any good continuity plan is only as good as its testing, training, and exercise regime. Too often, organizations create robust continuity plans but fail to invest the necessary time and resources into properly testing and exercising those plans. As a result, when a real disaster strikes, the continuity plan is quickly revealed to be ineffective. To avoid this situation, organizations should make sure to test their continuity plans regularly. This should include both small-scale tests that can be carried out in-house and large-scale exercises that involve external partners. By taking the time to test and exercise their continuity plans, organizations can ensure that they are prepared for anything. Step 7 — Take contingency plan maintenance measuresThere's no such thing as a contingency plan that's too well-maintained. Whether you're preparing for a natural disaster, a business interruption, or any other type of crisis, it's essential to ensure that your contingency plans are up-to-date and ready to be implemented instantly's notice. Here are some tips for keeping your contingency plans in top shape:
By taking these steps, you can ensure that your contingency plans are ready to meet any challenge. ConclusionIn conclusion, a business continuity plan is essential for any business. By having a plan in place, businesses can minimize the impact of disruptions and ensure that they can quickly resume operations. While the process of creating a business continuity plan may seem daunting, the NIST SP 800-34 Contingency Planning Guide provides a framework that can be used to develop an effective plan. By following the guidance in this document, businesses can create a plan that will help them withstand even the most severe disruptions. ReferencesNist Sp 800-34 — Contingency Planning Guide for Federal Information Systems. (n.d.). NIST. Retrieved May 14, 2022, from https://www.nist.gov/privacy-framework/nist-sp-800-34 What is the critical first step in disaster recovery and contingency planning?The first step in disaster recovery and contingency planning is implementing a business impact analysis (BIA). The step involves identifying all possible threats and measuring the effect each can have on the company. This also includes identifying critical company functions and resources and calculating outage times.
What is the first step in contingency planning?The first step in contingency planning is knowing which scenarios you're preparing for. It's impossible to predict everything, but chances are you can think of one (or ten) worst-case scenarios that would throw operations off. Put these scenarios in order of likelihood.
Which of the following is the first step in the disaster recovery process?Ways to develop a disaster recovery plan. Risk assessment. First, perform a risk assessment and business impact analysis (BIA) that addresses many potential disasters. ... . Evaluate critical needs. ... . Set disaster recovery plan objectives. ... . Collect data and create the written document. ... . Test and revise.. What are the 5 steps of contingency planning?The 5 Steps Of Contingency Planning. Program Management. Most organizations start by recruiting a contingency planning team that includes at least one representative from each department and every level of management down to the most entry-level positions. ... . Planning. ... . Implementation. ... . Testing & Exercise. ... . Program Improvement.. |