John works as a security manager for Soft Tech Inc. He is working with his team on the disaster
recovery management plan. One of his team members has a doubt related to the most cost effective
DRP testing plan. According to you, which of the following disaster recovery testing plans is the most
cost-effective and efficient way to identify areas of overlap in the plan before conducting more
demanding training exercises?

A.
Full-scale exercise

B.
Walk-through drill

C.
Evacuation drill

D.
Structured walk-through test

Explanation:
The structured walk-through test is also known as the table-top exercise. In structured walk-through
test, the team members walkthrough the plan to identify and correct weaknesses and how they will
respond to the emergency scenarios by stepping in the course of the plan. It is the most effective
and competent way to identify the areas of overlap in the plan before conducting more challenging
training exercises.

Answer option A is incorrect. In full-scale exercise, the critical systems run at an alternate site.
Answer option B is incorrect. The emergency management group and response teams actually
perform their emergency response functions by walking through the test, without actually initiating
recovery procedures. But it is not much cost effective.
Answer option C is incorrect. It is a test performed when personnel walks through the evacuation
route to a designated area where procedures for accounting for the personnel are tested.
CISM Review Manual 2010, Chapter. “Incident Management and Response”