Our company provides the foundations to support other businesses in their ICT and web based activities. We take our customers very seriously, and in doing so we strive to provide the most consistent and reliable services we can in the short, medium and long term. In order to do so we must anticipate and minimise any risk that might affect how we can serve you.
This business continuity plan describes in detail the risk in this are to our development and live server environments.
This report also describes what provision we have made for business continuity for our clients in the event that Giant Systems ceases to trade.
Live Server All live client web applications are hosted on a dedicated server running Windows Server 2003 based in a secure, climate controlled data centre.
All data on our live server is backup up and sent to a separate backup server each day (data is stored on a five day rolling basis).
Live server specific risks and recovery strategies:
Risk |
Avoiding the Risk |
Recovery from Risk |
Hardware failure |
Our live server is managed by a company with an excellent track record in this area. They provide an up time guarantee of 99.99%.
Live server is based in a secure data centre in a controlled climate which reduces the risk of hardware failure.
|
Restore data on separate machine from backup server |
Software failure |
All code is written best practices as described by Microsoft reducing the risk of software failure.
Software goes through rigorous testing on our development server before being deployed in a live environment
|
Standard contract incorporates a maximum response time of 48 hours to any issues. |
Power failure |
Our live server is powered by a backup generator in the event if a failure in the power grid or power cut.
Independent generators
We use a provider with a 99.99% uptime guarantee.
|
Restore data on separate server in the event of a very long power cut. |
Physical theft |
Our live server is hosted in a secure data centre which incorporates 150+ permanently recording video cameras and safety locks ensure that only authorised personnel can enter the centre.
They also ensure systems are monitored 24/7 monitoring by Internet specialists
The building with our office in has door locks (external, floor and room) and secure windows, security cameras and code requirements for entry.
|
Restore data from backup server on separate server |
Fire/flooding |
Server based in secure data centre with 99.99% uptime guarantee. |
Restore data from backup server on separate server. |
Loss of personnel |
Key development personnel (company directors) have intimate knowledge of all software developed.
All software developed using Microsoft best practices. This allows new staff to quickly and easily work on existing projects.
|
Seek new staff |
Connectivity problems |
Our hosting provider has their backbone and top carriers like Sprint and Level3 to ensure servers connection to the internet are consistent.
Our server is also protected and monitored by automated support systems that permit real-time analysis, review, and maintenance for all clients. All technology used has been n+1 engineered throughout to avoid any connectivity, redundancy or power failure and all systems are monitored around-the-clock by specialist network technicians.
|
|
Development server
Our development server holds a copy of all clients websites (past and present) in a source controlled environment. This is also a dedicated server running Windows Server 2003, this server is based at our office at 117 The Headrow, Leeds, LS7 3NN
Our development server is part of a development environment which also includes 2 laptops, 2 PC’s and several virtual PC’s. A copy of each client website in development is also stored on these machines and synchronised with the version stored on the development server using Visual Source Safe (source control software).
Development server risks and recovery strategies:
| Risk |
Avoiding the Risk |
Recovery from Risk |
| Developer working on a website past changes made by other staff members |
Use of Visual Source Safe eliminates this risk.
Even in cases where a website has not be worked on for a number of months / years a developer at Giant Systems can be sure that they are working on the most appropriate version of a software product.
|
|
| Theft |
Development server stored in a secure office |
|
| Fire |
Building equipped with fire extinguishers |
All development software is stored on development server and on staff laptops. |
| Broadband connectivity problems |
Static IP address provided by Liquid IT |
Work locally on laptops and development server whilst connectivity repaired. |
| Hardware failure |
Test and upgrade hardware on a regular basis |
Store a copy of all code on development server, laptops and desktop PC’s. |
Business continuity in the event that Giant Systems cease trading We write all software using Microsoft Best practices. In the event that Giant Systems cease trading a copy off all available source code will be provided to each client allowing them to update and build upon their applications.