How often must recovery plans be tested through an operational exercise according to Requirement R2.3?

According to Requirement R2.3 of the NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards, recovery plans must be tested through an operational exercise at least every 36 calendar months. This stipulation ensures that organizations maintain their readiness to respond to a variety of incidents, thereby strengthening their resilience against potential disruptions to critical infrastructure.

Testing recovery plans every 36 months allows organizations to verify that the plans remain effective and applicable in the face of evolving threats and changes in operational environment. Regular testing also helps to identify weak points in the plans that need to be addressed and ensures that personnel are familiar with their roles in recovery scenarios, thus improving overall preparedness.

This timeframe balances the need for rigorous preparedness with operational feasibility, allowing organizations to implement necessary updates while not over-burdening resources with excessive testing. Ensuring that recovery plans are practiced within this interval supports continuous improvement in response capabilities and overall security posture.