Problem Statement and Goal Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP)1 and Business Resumption Services (BRS)2 are

both time consuming and costly processes. These, as well as the feeling that “we have never had a problem, ” have made companies hesitate in implementing plans to resume business activities to prepare for a catastrophic event. However, several factors have caused companies to change their attitude towards their need for DRP and BRS. Disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes have awakened management to the realization that it could happen to them. The increasing dependence of organizations on data processing to perform the basic functions of corporate America, the fear of lawsuits by shareholders for their failure to prepare, and recent accounting regulations that address an entity’s ability to survive as an “ongoing ” entity in event of a disaster have caused management to address the need to develop DRP and BRS. Business opportunities in both the consulting and services areas for DRP and BRS have increased tremendously. However, several factors are hindering the ability to provide the services needed by companies. These include: 1. The lack of experienced consultants needed to evaluate organizational needs for DRP and BRS, or to evaluate and review existing plans; 2. The need for multiple skills ranging from auditing, assessment, communications, etc.; and 1 Disaster Recovery Planning is a term that is used to describe activities that cover computer/data-processing activities. 2 Business Resumption Services is a term that is used to describe all critical business functions including computer/data processing, telecommunications, support functions such as accounting (billing/accounts receivable, payroll, etc.), etc