BCP vs DRP for Immediate Post-Disaster Response
A city municipality lost its primary data center when a tornado hit the facility. Which of the following should the city staff use immediately after the disaster to handle essential public services?
Community Votes
67% of anonymous learners picked answer C. Votes are pick records left by other test-takers — they are not the verified answer.
Community Insight
Tests the distinction between operational continuity (BCP) and IT recovery (DRP), with the common trap being selecting DRP due to the immediate loss of physical infrastructure.
Determining the correct plan to activate immediately after a catastrophic event like a tornado requires distinguishing between Business Continuity Plans (BCP) and Disaster Recovery Plans (DRP). This page establishes that BCP is the correct choice because it focuses on maintaining essential public services without interruption.
Many learners select C (DRP) because they associate 'disaster' with 'Disaster Recovery Plan' and focus on restoring the lost data center, missing the broader requirement to handle public services immediately.
Community Discussion (21 comments)
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Expert Analysis
Why the Answer Is Correct
The correct answer is A (BCP). The scenario specifies that the city needs to "handle essential public services" immediately after the disaster. A Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is designed to ensure that critical business functions continue during and after a disruption, regardless of whether the primary site is available. It encompasses strategies like manual workarounds, alternate sites, and communication protocols to keep services running. While the data center is lost, the BCP addresses the operational need to serve the public.Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option C (DRP) is incorrect because a Disaster Recovery Plan focuses specifically on restoring IT infrastructure, systems, and data. While necessary for long-term recovery, DRP does not address the immediate need to maintain public service operations if IT systems are down; it is a subset of BCP. Option B (Communication plan) is a component of both BCP and DRP but is not a standalone plan for handling services. Option D (IRP) is for responding to security incidents like breaches, not natural disasters.Community Comment Notes
There is significant debate in the community. Many users selected C (DRP), arguing that since the data center was destroyed, IT recovery is the priority. For example, user c7b3ff0 noted that DRP offers specific steps to recover critical IT infrastructure. However, other users correctly identified A (BCP), emphasizing that BCP ensures essential operations continue immediately. User W3g4N0S argued that BCP enables the city to continue critical operations without interruption, which aligns with the question's focus on "handling essential public services." The key takeaway is that BCP is the umbrella strategy for continuity, while DRP is technical restoration.Exam Strategy
When you see 'immediately' and 'essential services' or 'business operations,' think BCP. If the question asks about restoring servers, databases, or network connectivity, think DRP. Always prioritize the scope of the question: operational continuity vs. technical recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn't DRP the right answer for immediate response?
DRP focuses on restoring IT systems. BCP focuses on keeping essential services running, which may involve non-IT processes or manual workarounds if IT is down.
Is DRP part of BCP?
Yes, DRP is typically a subset of BCP. BCP covers the entire organization's ability to function, while DRP covers the IT infrastructure recovery.
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