Clause Guide

Disaster Recovery Clause clause: meaning, risks, and what to negotiate

Sets requirements for restoring systems or services after a serious failure or disaster event.

What it means

Disaster recovery planning affects how quickly services, data, and systems can be restored after major incidents.

Common risks

3 risks identified
Recovery targets may be missing or unrealistic.
Backup and restoration responsibilities may be unclear.
Testing may not actually happen.

What to check before signing

Checklist
Are recovery time and recovery point objectives defined?
How often are backups taken and tested?
What are the provider’s obligations after a major outage?

Negotiation ideas

Actionable
Define realistic recovery targets.
Require regular backup and recovery testing.
Limit the clause to services where recovery timing truly matters.

Example clause

Provider shall maintain a disaster recovery plan designed to restore the Services in accordance with the agreed recovery time and recovery point objectives set out in the applicable Statement of Work.

Frequently asked questions

1 questions
What is a disaster recovery clause?

It is a clause setting expectations for restoring systems or services after a serious operational failure.

Want help reviewing the full contract?

A single clause rarely tells the whole story. Scan the full agreement to spot risks, missing protections, and negotiation points across the whole document.

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation.