A disaster recovery planner needs to focus prioritization efforts around operational impact. The disaster recovery planner should focus on which system?

Focusing on mission-critical systems is essential for a disaster recovery planner aiming to prioritize efforts based on operational impact. These systems are the backbone of an organization's operations, and their failure could lead to significant disruptions, financial loss, and damage to the organization’s reputation. By concentrating on mission-critical systems, the planner ensures that resources are allocated effectively to maintain operational continuity and recover quickly from incidents.

Mission-critical systems typically support essential functions and processes, meaning that their downtime directly impacts the organization's ability to serve its customers and fulfill its objectives. Recovery plans tailored for these systems will prioritize restoring functionality, ensuring that the organization can resume normal operations as swiftly as possible in the event of a disaster. This targeted approach not only aids in minimizing operational impact but also enhances the overall resilience of the organization’s IT infrastructure.

In contrast, while demilitarized zones, external systems, and systems with critical vulnerabilities are important components of a comprehensive security and recovery strategy, they do not represent the urgent operational priority that mission-critical systems do. By ensuring that mission-critical systems are resilient and have robust recovery plans, an organization can secure its essential operations even during adverse circumstances.