A disaster recovery plan template provides your organization with a structured, audit-ready document for defining how you'll restore critical systems and operations after a disruption—whether it's a major outage, cyberattack, or data loss event. While it works in tandem with your broader business continuity plan, a DRP focuses specifically on the technical recovery steps: classifying risks, defining recovery objectives, documenting response procedures, and establishing communication protocols.

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Frameworks like ISO 27001, SOC 2, and PCI DSS require a documented disaster recovery plan, and auditors expect to see one that's been customized to your environment and tested regularly. This template covers all 12 sections of a comprehensive DRP—from roles and responsibilities through testing exercises and training—so your team can build a plan that's ready before an incident occurs.

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How to use this template

1. Make a copy and review the structure: The template includes a detailed instructions page that walks through the purpose of each of the 12 sections, from risk classification and disaster scenarios through communication plans and tabletop exercises.
2. Replace all placeholder text: Use Find to locate every [ ] bracketed field highlighted in yellow and replace it with your organization's specific details—recovery objectives, severity ratings, response steps, roles, and communication protocols. Remove any sections that don't apply.‍
3. Finalize and test: Delete the instructions page, add your company branding, export as a PDF, and upload to your compliance platform. Schedule regular tabletop exercises and update the plan as your infrastructure evolves.