What is the next recommended testing step for an organization that has developed a new business continuity plan after conducting a basic tabletop exercise?

The next recommended testing step for an organization that has developed a new business continuity plan, following a basic tabletop exercise, is a functional test of a scenario with limited IT involvement. This step is important because it allows the organization to validate specific components of the business continuity plan in a controlled manner without the full scope and complexity associated with IT systems.

A functional test focuses on applying the plan in a simulated environment and assessing how effectively the personnel involved can execute their roles and responsibilities. It helps to identify any weaknesses in processes or communication without overwhelming the organization with all departments or complete IT integration. This way, lessons learned can be integrated before moving on to more complex tests that may involve all departments or IT systems comprehensively.

This phased approach to testing helps ensure that each part of the business continuity plan is adequately validated and allows for improvements to be made incrementally, leading to a more robust overall strategy. Subsequent tests can then involve more extensive scenarios, such as full-scale tests or IT disaster recovery scenarios, once foundational elements have been confirmed through these targeted exercises.