ELI5: What is Business Continuity vs. Disaster Recovery?
Business continuity keeps the show going during a storm — like moving recess indoors. Disaster recovery is fixing the playground after the storm passes. One keeps things running; the other brings things back.
Definition
Business Continuity Planning (BCP) focuses on maintaining critical business operations during a disruption — it encompasses people, processes, communications, and technology. Disaster Recovery (DR) is a subset of BCP focused specifically on restoring IT systems, data, and infrastructure after a disruptive event. In short: BCP keeps the business running while DR brings the technology back online.
Key Details
- BCP is broader: includes alternate work sites, staff roles, communication plans, and supply chain continuity
- DR is narrower: focused on system restoration using backups, replication, and failover mechanisms
- Both are driven by the BIA, which sets RTO, RPO, and MTD targets
- The BCP is invoked during an event; the DRP is executed to restore normal operations afterward
- Exam tip: if a question asks about keeping the business running, think BCP; if it asks about restoring IT systems, think DR
Connections
- Parent: business-continuity — the distinction between BCP and DR is fundamental to continuity planning
- See also: disaster-recovery
- See also: bia-as-the-foundation