What is the purpose of a disaster recovery plan?

The purpose of a disaster recovery plan is primarily to establish a documented process for recovering IT infrastructure and operations after a disaster occurs. This plan is crucial because it outlines specific actions to be taken in response to disruptive events, such as natural disasters, cyberattacks, or system failures. By having a structured recovery process in place, an organization can minimize downtime, protect data integrity, and ensure continuity of critical business functions.

The focus of a disaster recovery plan is not on improving employee productivity or making investment decisions, as these aspects are generally considered part of operational management or financial strategy rather than recovery. Similarly, comparing business performance does not relate directly to the aims of a disaster recovery plan. Instead, the core of disaster recovery is to prepare for unforeseen events and quickly restore operations, thereby safeguarding the organization’s assets and ensuring ongoing service delivery.