BCP and Disaster Recovery Plan Template: Free Excel Download
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Key takeaways
- A BCP/DR plan documents how your SaaS service recovers from outages with clear RTO, RPO, and MTPD targets.
- This workbook includes a critical services register, dependency map, recovery procedures, and DR test log.
- Aligns with ISO 22301 practices and SOC 2 Availability criteria.
- SecureSlate helps connect continuity controls to evidence and test records.
Overview
SaaS customers expect uptime commitments. A DR plan proves you know which services matter most, what depends on what, and how you would restore production if a region or vendor fails.
What makes it useful
- Tiered services: Tier 1/2/3 priority with RTO, RPO, and MTPD per service.
- Dependency register: Flags single points of failure (identity provider, payment gateway, DNS).
- Step-by-step recovery: Phased procedures (Assess, Activate, Failover, Validate) with owners and time estimates.
- Test results log: Records actual vs target RTO/RPO with pass/fail outcomes.
Download the template
- Download: BCP / Disaster Recovery Plan (XLSX)
Pair this with the BIA template to align business impact with technical recovery targets.
Tab-by-tab walkthrough
Overview and Version & Approval
Document owner, scope, and annual review sign-off.
Critical Services
Register each service with Business Function, Priority Tier, RTO Target, RPO Target, MTPD, Service Owner, Recovery Team, and Backup Location. Start with customer-facing app, auth, database, and payment processing.
Dependencies Map
List dependencies per service: type (cloud, identity, payment, DNS), provider, criticality, single-point-of-failure flag, and mitigation. Address every "Yes" in the SPOF column.
Recovery Procedures
Phased steps per service: Assess, Activate, Failover, Validate, and Communicate. Include estimated time and named owner per phase.
DR Test Results
Log each tabletop, partial failover, or full simulation. Record target vs actual RTO/RPO and lessons learned. Failed tests are valuable evidence if follow-up actions are tracked.
How to use it as audit evidence
| Control area | Template tab |
|---|---|
| Recovery objectives | Critical Services RTO/RPO/MTPD |
| Dependency awareness | Dependencies Map |
| Documented procedures | Recovery Procedures |
| Plan tested annually | DR Test Results |
SOC 2 Availability auditors commonly sample DR test results from the last 12 months.
Common mistakes
- RTO targets that do not match actual failover capability
- Dependencies missing third-party SaaS tools
- Recovery steps never tested end to end
- Plan not updated after cloud region or architecture changes
How SecureSlate helps
SecureSlate tracks continuity controls, evidence freshness, and DR test records so your BCP program stays audit-ready.
FAQ
How is BCP different from a BIA?
The BIA identifies business impact and priorities. The BCP/DR plan documents how you recover services to meet those priorities.
How often should we test DR?
At minimum one tabletop per year. Many SaaS teams run one partial failover test annually.
What RTO should a SaaS app target?
Depends on your SLA. Tier 1 production services often target 1 to 4 hours RTO with 15 to 60 minute RPO.
Disclaimer (legal note)
This article is for general information only and is not legal, regulatory, or professional advice. Requirements vary by framework, industry, and jurisdiction. Consult qualified advisors for your specific obligations.
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