A data center lead is preparing an organization for disaster recovery and wants to minimize impact to production systems. Which method should be used?

A parallel test is a disaster recovery method where backup systems and processes are tested simultaneously with the production system in operation. This approach allows the organization to verify that the recovery systems can take over without taking down the production environment, thereby minimizing impact on operational activities. It enables testing of the backup resources while continuing normal business operations, which helps ensure that there is no disruption to services.

This method is particularly beneficial because it allows for real-time evaluation of system performance and recovery strategies without risking the integrity of the primary systems. Stakeholders can observe the tests and assess their effectiveness in a live environment without causing downtime or significant workloads on production systems.

The other methods, such as full interruption, walk-throughs, and tabletop exercises, involve varying degrees of disruption to normal operations. Full interruption tests take down production systems entirely to evaluate the recovery process, which can lead to significant impact. Walk-throughs and tabletop exercises focus on discussions and planning rather than testing systems under pressure, which may not effectively reveal how a system will perform in an actual disaster situation. Therefore, using a parallel test strikes the best balance between ensuring preparedness and maintaining operational continuity.