What is the primary goal of a disaster recovery plan (DRP)?

The primary goal of a disaster recovery plan (DRP) is to ensure rapid recovery from incidents. This encompasses strategies and procedures that an organization implements to protect its critical IT infrastructure and data in the event of a disaster, whether it's a natural disaster, cyberattack, or other significant incident. A well-structured DRP outlines the steps that need to be taken immediately following a disaster to restore systems and resume normal operations as quickly as possible.

The effectiveness of a DRP is measured by how quickly an organization can return to its normal functioning and minimize downtime and data loss. This focus on rapid recovery allows organizations to maintain their services, protect their reputation, and ensure business continuity despite unforeseen disruptions.