(ISC)2 Certified in Cybersecurity Practice Exam

Which type of test assesses recovery procedures without affecting operations?

1. Full Interruption test

2. Simulation test

3. Parallel test

4. Tabletop exercise

The correct answer is: Parallel test

The parallel test is a type of disaster recovery testing that allows an organization to assess its recovery procedures without disrupting ongoing operations. In this test, all procedures are implemented in a parallel environment that mirrors the real operational environment but does not involve live systems or production data. This methodology helps to validate the recovery strategies and procedures by simulating their execution in a way that ensures the primary operations continue unaffected, allowing for a thorough evaluation of the recovery protocols. In contrast, other types of tests, such as a full interruption test, do require an actual shutdown of operations to verify recovery capabilities, which can lead to potential downtime and operational impact. Simulation tests may involve role-playing scenarios that could affect operational processes, while tabletop exercises focus on discussion and planning rather than actual recovery efforts, but they also do not operate in a live environment. Thus, the parallel test stands out as providing a comprehensive assessment of recovery capabilities while maintaining normal functions.