ClassInfo

IS 505 Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery Theories and Strategies

Mary Sandy

Office: CDM 701
Winter 2015-2016
Class number: 22509
Section number: 810
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Online Campus

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Summary

This course will give you a broad understanding of how a company should prepare for all types of disruptions (floods, tornadoes, chemical spills, equipment malfunctions, earthquakes, terrorist attacks, etc.) so it will survive. You will be given a basic methodology for how to analyze and prioritize critical functions within an organization to determine when these functions need to be restored. This information, along with how the organization will be impacted both financially and non-financially, will enable you to determine strategies for survival. Using case studies, you will be provided 'real world' situations where you will learn how to apply one of the best practice methodologies in use today and yet adheres to the principles endorsed by the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRI). This course is based upon a combination of lecture/discussion/group and individual case analysis. You will work with data from a selection of over 30 clients for whom the instructor performed a variety of Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery (BC/DR) projects. With this real world data, you will work through BC/DR problems using industry documented theories and from additional information provided by the instructor's knowledge gained by over twelve years of experience in the BC/DR industry.




Texts

Instead of a textbook, all required reading will be contained in D2L. This information not only contains background material, but also provides supplemental information that will consist of the evaluation methodology developed and used by the instructor in over 30 BC/DR projects. There are over 100 PowerPoint presentations, methodology documents, and preprinted articles in D2L.





Grading

Grading is based upon the manner in which a student fulfills the objectives of the course. Each student will be evaluated on his/her performance (no grading curve will be used). 93-100 pts=A; 90-92 pts=A-; 87-89 pts=B+; 83-86 pts=B; 80-82 pts=B-; 77-79 pts=C+; 73-76 pts=C; 70-72 pts=C-; 67-69 pts=D+; 60-66 pts=D; and 0-59 pts=F. The weight of each assignment for contributing to the final average is as follows for Inclass and Online (OL) students: 4 Homework Assignments = 50% of final grade; and Final Take-Home Case Study Exam = 40% of final grade. For the final 10% of the grade, this is different for inclass and OL students. 10% of inclass students' grades are dependent upon class attendance and participation while 10% of OL students' grades are dependent upon their active participation in a Discussion Forum topic designated by the instructor.



Prerequisites

None.



HOMEWORK AND FINAL EXAM:

All written assignments are due to the instructor via DePaul's COL System https://D2L.depaul.edu by the designated time/date indicated in D2L, unless permission is received by the instructor prior to the due dates. Late assignments will automatically be graded 10% lower than those that are submitted on time. If late, this will be taken into consideration in your final grade under the area of Homework. Homework will consist of: reading the material in D2L; additional handouts that may be distributed regarding methodology samples; current Business Continuity articles; and written homework as documented in D2L.

The Final Exam will be a take-home case study. The overriding evaluation of the case study is each student's ability to apply the concepts and methodology discussed in class and provide justification for all recommended strategies and solutions. All inclass and OL students must submit the Final Exam to the instructor via DePaul's COL System https://D2L.depaul.edu by the designated time/date indicated in D2L, unless permission is received by the instructor prior to the due date. If your Final Exam is late, it will automatically be graded 10% lower than those Final Exams that are submitted on time. If late, this will be taken into consideration in your Final Exam Grade.




COURSE POLICIES:

CHANGES TO SYLLABUS
This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under NEWS in D2L and sent via email.

ONLINE COURSE EVALUATIONS
Instructor and course evaluations provide valuable feedback that can improve are in the unique position to view the instructor over time. Your comments about what works and what does not can help faculty build on the elements of the course that are strong and improve those that are weak. Isolated comments from students and instructors' peers may also be helpful, but evaluation results based on high response rates may be statistically reliable (believable). As you experience this course and material, think about how your learning is impacted. Your honest opinions about your experience in and commitment to the course and your learning may help improve some components of the course for the next group of students. Positive comments also show the department chairs and college deans the commitment of instructors to the university and teaching evaluation results are one component used in annual performance reviews (including salary raises and promotion/tenure). The evaluation of the instructor and course provides you an opportunity to make your voice heard on an important issue, the quality of teaching at DePaul. Do not miss this opportunity to provide feedback!

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND PLAGIARISM
This course will be subject to the academic integrity policy passed by faculty. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/.
The university and school policy on plagiarism can be summarized as follows: Students in this course should be aware of the strong sanctions that can be imposed against someone guilty of plagiarism. If proven, a charge of plagiarism could result in an automatic F in the course and possible expulsion. The strongest of sanctions will be imposed on anyone who submits as his/her own work any assignment which has been prepared by someone else. If you have any questions or doubts about what plagiarism entails or how to properly acknowledge source materials be sure to consult the instructor.

WITHDRAWAL
Students who withdraw from the course do so by using the Campus Connection system (http://campusconnect.depaul.edu. Withdrawals processed via this system are effective the day on which they are made. Simply ceasing to attend, or notifying the instructor, or nonpayment of tuition, does not constitute an official withdrawal from class and will result in academic as well as financial penalty.

RETROACTIVE WITHDRAWAL
This policy exists to assist students for whom extenuating circumstances prevented them from meeting the withdrawal deadline. During their college career students may be allowed one medical/personal administrative withdrawal and one college office administrative withdrawal, each for one or more courses in a single term. Repeated requests will not be considered. Submitting an appeal for retroactive withdrawal does not guarantee approval.

College office appeals for CDM students must be submitted online via MyCDM.
The deadlines for submitting appeals are as follows:

Autumn Quarter: Last day of the last final exam of the subsequent winter quarter
Winter Quarter: Last day of the last final exam of the subsequent spring quarter
Spring Quarter: Last day of the last final exam of the subsequent autumn quarter
Summer Terms: Last day of the last final exam of the subsequent autumn quarter

EXCUSED ABSENCE
In order to petition for an excused absence, students who miss class due to illness or significant personal circumstances should complete the Absence Notification process through the Dean of Students office. The form can be accessed at http://studentaffairs.depaul.edu/dos/forms.html. Students must submit supporting documentation alongside the form. The professor reserves the sole right whether to offer an excused absence and/or academic accommodations for an excused absence.

INCOMPLETE
An incomplete grade is a special, temporary grade that may be assigned by an instructor when unforeseeable circumstances prevent a student from completing course requirements by the end of the term and when otherwise the student had a record of satisfactory progress in the course. CDM policy
requires the student to initiate the request for incomplete grade before the end of the term in which the course is taken. Prior to submitting the incomplete request, the student must discuss the circumstances with the instructor. Students may initiate the incomplete request process in MyCDM.
1. All incomplete requests must be approved by the instructor of the course and a CDM Associate Dean. Only exceptions cases will receive such approval.
2. If approved, students are required to complete all remaining course requirement independently in consultation with the instructor by the deadline indicated on the incomplete request form.
3. By default, an incomplete grade will automatically change to a grade of F after two quarters have elapsed (excluding summer) unless another grade is recorded by the instructor.
4. An incomplete grade does NOT grant the student permission to attend the same course in a future quarter.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Student Center, LPC, Suite #370
Phone number: (773)325.1677
Fax: (773)325.3720
TTY: (773)325.7296


Introduction to the Course--Introduction of Instructor and Students. Review of Syllabus, Class Goals--Those of the Class and Student Expectations. What is Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity? Why Study this Topic? Is this a Profession? Are There Jobs in This Field? Review of Business Continuity Glossary. What is a Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and what is its importance in Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery?

Business Impact Analysis Methodology: Part 1, Financial Impacts and Non-Financial Impacts; and Part 2, Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs). Determining Recovery Time Objectives for Departments.

Part 3, Use of Business Impact Analysis Data to Develop and Justify Disaster Recovery Technology Strategies for Hardware and Software.

Complete Part 3, How to Select Technology Recovery Strategies for Hardware and Software in Small/Large Data Centers. The Differences Between Internal and External Strategies, and How to Justify Strategies to Management. Gathering Technology Information and Consolidating/Analyzing BIA Information.
Business Recovery (Work Area Recovery). Business Interruption Insurance (Definition, Assets Covered, Inclusions, Exclusions, etc.), and Terrorism Insurance. Documenting Technology and User Area (Work Area) Recovery Plans. How to Evaluate Recovery Plans. Designing Corporate Awareness and Education; Designing and Documenting a Recovery Organization. FINAL EXAM IS DISTRIBUTED TO ALL STUDENTS. Review of Business Continuity, Putting it All Together. "Jeopardy" review of all class material covered to date. Documenting Technology and User Area (Work Area Recovery) Tests; Types of Tests; Managing Tests; Auditing Tests, etc. Current Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery Trends. Pandemic Video Presentation. Planning for Pandemics and Other Biological Agents. Risk Analysis and the Difference Between it and a BIA. Emergency Management Issues--Planning for: Radiological Threats; Chemical Spills; Floods; Tornadoes; Earthquakes; etc. Wrap Up of Course.

School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296