Disaster Recovery Tests Get High Marks

Minutes lost can mean millions of dollars lost when disaster strikes the technology-dependent financial industry. An earthquake, flood or other calamity can disable information processing systems, and institutions must be able to quickly and successfully re-establish operations.

To refine and test disaster recovery procedures and training, ITI and SunGard (the primary provider of disaster site facilities for Unisys hardware) conduct annual drills to simulate recovery from a full-scale disaster. The latest of these tests took place in April of 2003 at Premier Data Corporation, a Salt Lake City-based service bureau that processes more than 60,000 accounts for financial institutions in Utah and Idaho.

Demonstrating the ability to quickly and successfully recover both computer operations and item capture is the goal of each test. "As we followed our written procedures and went through the motions to identify any limitations, we gained important insight into the strengths of our contingency plans," said Ed Cameron, Premier Data President & CEO. "We were very pleased with our preparedness."

For the test, a Mobile Disaster Recovery Unit was deployed, staffed by ITI, SunGard, Unisys and bank personnel. The simulation included deployment of the SunGard Mobile Data Center, a state-of-the-art semi tractor-trailer that houses proof, ITI image and Premier Director file servers, a Unisys NDP1150 sorter, and assorted office and network equipment.

The trailer is also capable of housing an enterprise server. For this scenario, connectivity was successfully established between the mobile data center and the financial institutions that Premier Data serves. "All of the institutions were able to connect with the backup mainframe and Director server to access and research all vital account information, reports and images," said James Lubeck, Installation Group Manager for ITI Delivery Systems.

"This exercise proved to be invaluable, and was a resounding success for everyone involved," concluded Cameron. "We were able to gather information that could otherwise be learned only during an actual disaster. From that, we gain the peace of mind of knowing that Premier Data has an effective plan in place that can be employed immediately to help handle any disaster, should it strike."

To date, ITI and SunGard have performed 20 disaster recovery tests, each emphasizing variables such as data communications, multi-bank processing and item capture/image recovery. This training has helped prepare disaster recovery teams to respond effectively to seven actual disasters, including the 9/11 catastrophe in New York City in 2001 and flooding in northern Minnesota during 2002.

ITI Boilerplate Information Technology, Inc. (ITI) provides America's bankers an extensive array of technology solutions and support services for core accounting, relationship management, teller and platform automation, Internet banking, account aggregation, e-commerce solutions for business and consumers, business intelligence, imaging and document management. A comprehensive suite of planning, installation, support, training, analysis and consulting services supports all technology solutions. Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Lincoln, Neb., Information Technology has grown to include its subsidiaries Precision Computer Systems (PCS) and eSolutions, as well as partnerships with some of the best-known technology companies in the world. Contact ITI at 402.421.4207 or partner@iti.fiserv.com. ITI can also be found on the Internet at www.itiwnet.com.

ITI is a subsidiary of Fiserv, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISV), a provider of industry leading information management systems and services to the financial industry.

First published on BankersOnline.com 5/29/03