Transfer of data to an offsite storage facility via a communication link rather than via portable media. Typically used for batch/journaled updates to critical files to supplement full backups taken periodically.

A sudden, unexpected event requiring immediate action due to potential threat to health and safety, the environment, or property.

The discipline which ensures an organization, or community’s readiness to respond to an emergency in a coordinated, timely, and effective manner.

The part of the overall contingency plan or related activities that occurs prior to the disaster or event and is focused on the safety of personnel and the protection of critical assets. The contingency plan may reference the emergency preparedness program of the safety office or some other responsible organization.

A plan of action to commence immediately to prevent the loss of life and minimize injury and property damage.

The portion of contingency planning that is focused on the immediate aftermath of a disaster or event. Emergency response planning includes
the activities required to stabilize a situation and to protect lives and property.

A predetermined location for employees and their families to obtain food, supplies, financial assistance, etc., in the event of a catastrophic disaster.

The procedures that define the conditions or criteria under which a plan, or a portion of a plan, will be activated. For most incidents, the initial escalation procedures may call for the staff on duty to handle the incident and notify
their supervisor. Escalation procedures for a data processing plan with a commercial hot site will include the conditions under which the hot site vendor is to be notified, and identify who is authorized to make the official declaration of an emergency condition that warrants expending company and vendor resources.

An occurrence of something that elicits a response. A circumstance that causes some action to ensue in response to the situation that has occurred. An unexpected event is an exception to the rule and poses a condition or set of conditions which can escalate in severity if an appropriate and timely response does not take place. For the contingency planner, a disaster, interruption, or any other occurrence, which causes the contingency plan to be activated, or considered for activation.

That part of the contingency plan which defines the order in which agency executives will assume operational control of the agency in the absence of
the primary agency head.

A test or drill in which actions in the contingency plan are performed or simulated as though responding to an event. It is during the exercise that planners and participants can evaluate whether the planned activities and tasks properly address potential situations.

A state of condition of being unprotected or vulnerable to harm or loss. In the business sense, exposure is the condition of having agency assets and/or resources subject to risk.

A lengthy, unplanned interruption in system availability due to computer hardware or software problems, or communication failures.

Insurance coverage for disaster related expenses that may be incurred until operations are fully recovered after a disaster.