Preparing a Document Repository - MHA Consulting

A Business Continuity Program generates a lot of documents. Recovery plans, BIAs, Risk Assessments, and results of testing are a few of the numerous things that must be kept handy. Also, many people contribute and maintain such documents. It is necessary to store everything in a central place to be found when needed. There are a few options for this.

• Establish a file share with sub-directories to separate the technical plans from the public areas. This option is inexpensive and access permissions are controlled by the Program Manager.
• Use a document management product like Sharepoint. This can track who has which document checked out for updates.
• Purchase a purpose-built product like Strohl’s Living Disaster Recovery Planning System (LDRPS) which can be used to build an automated DR plan.

The challenge is to control access to plans so that the Program Manager can ensure the quality and accuracy of anything accepted for storage. Whatever tool an organization decides to go with, be sure to set aside a submissions area to receive proposed plans for review. To make these documents useful in a crisis, they must be available at the recovery site.