Step-by-step Disaster Recovery Playbook for SaaS

In our previous issue, we explored disaster recovery from a high-level perspective. If you missed it, check it out here:

Since then, I’ve received many questions asking for a deeper dive into the details. So today, we’re focusing on a more detailed disaster recovery playbook—one you can adapt to your SaaS business needs.

Let’s break this down step by step to ensure you’re fully equipped to handle disruptions effectively.

Why SaaS Companies Need a Disaster Recovery Playbook

• Minimized Downtime: Every second of downtime can cost your business revenue and reputation.

• Customer Confidence: A robust recovery plan reassures clients that their data is safe.

• Compliance & Trust: SOC 2 compliance demands readiness for disruptions, making disaster recovery a critical part of your toolkit.

Let’s break this into three actionable phases: Assessment, Response, and Post-Incident Recovery.

Phase 1: Assessment

This is where you evaluate the disaster's scope and impact. Key actions:

1. Scope the Disaster: Natural calamities? Cyberattacks? Identify the type and magnitude.

2. Assess Critical Systems: Prioritize the systems and applications integral to your operations.

3. Resource Mapping: Pinpoint your available resources—personnel, backups, and vendor support.

4. Stakeholder Engagement: Notify senior management and key teams to set recovery in motion.

💡 Pro Tip: Run a Business Impact Analysis (BIA) to establish recovery time objectives (RTO) and recovery point objectives (RPO). These metrics guide recovery priorities. This is also mandatory requirements of the Security Control (CC3.1, CC3.2, CC5.1, CC9.1)

Phase 2: Response

Here’s where the rubber meets the road:

1. Activate Your IT Disaster Recovery Team: Assign roles like Incident Commander and Recovery Coordinator.

2. Execute the Communication Plan: Keep stakeholders, clients, and the public informed with clear, transparent updates.

3. Deploy Recovery Teams: Start restoring services based on pre-defined priorities. Ensure redundancy systems like failover servers are operational.

4. Coordinate Resources: Allocate personnel and equipment efficiently, and escalate any critical issues to leadership.

💡 Pro Tip: Maintain a virtual command center for seamless coordination, especially if your teams are distributed. Also the stakeholder communication is part of SOC2 Controls!

Phase 3: Post-Incident Recovery

Once operations stabilize, it’s time to evaluate and strengthen your defenses:

1. Assess the Primary Site: Ensure your main infrastructure is ready to resume operations.

2. Document an After-Action Report: Capture what went right, what didn’t, and where improvements are needed.

3. Communicate Transparently: Share recovery milestones with stakeholders and customers to rebuild confidence.

4. Update Your Plan: Incorporate lessons learned to refine your disaster recovery plan (DRP).

💡 Pro Tip: Regularly test your DRP with simulated disaster exercises. The more your team practices, the faster they’ll respond during a real event.

Quick Wins for SaaS Founders

• Backup Data Daily: Ensure your backups are stored securely and tested for recovery.

• Invest in Redundant Systems: Downtime for your platform should be near-zero.

• Collaborate with Vendors: Confirm your cloud providers and partners have robust disaster recovery plans.

• Train Your Team: Conduct regular workshops on disaster scenarios to ensure everyone knows their role.

SOC 2 Compliance: The Disaster Recovery Connection

A documented and tested disaster recovery plan isn’t just a best practice—it’s a requirement for SOC 2 compliance. The DRP aligns with key SOC 2 controls:

• A1.2 Backup and Recovery

• A1.3 Recovery Testing

(And a lot other implicitly like business impact analysis: CC3.1, CC3.2, CC5.1, CC9.1 )

💡 Pro Tip: Need an overview of all SOC 2 controls? Grab the SOC 2 Compliance Checklist here

Conclusion

Disaster Recovery is about preparation, not perfection. A tested, working DRP ensures that your SaaS can withstand the unexpected, protect its reputation, and continue delivering value to your customers.

If you have any questions just reply to this or ask in the comment section.

Until next time,

Adam