Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
Dimensional, funds advised by Dimensional, and DFA Securities Inc. have a defined set of procedures for responding to an emergency or natural disaster that could affect the firm's normal operations. The Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan provides written guidelines designed to sustain the firm's critical functions and to restore further operational functions as soon as possible.
Summary
Data security and access to information are high priorities. Critical data pertaining to trading, operations, and client service systems is backed up daily.
Dimensional's plan identifies four general scenario levels and response procedures. The first two levels involve a minor loss of or limited access to systems and data in situations such as a temporary power outage. Secondary systems would be engaged as necessary to maintain essential operations. The recovery time objective is approximately 12 hours for the first level and 24-36 hours for the second level.
In a more serious event, such as an earthquake or fire, there are additional defined response procedures. A top priority would be quick resumption of critical functions such as trading, fund operations, and telecommunications. The Business Recovery Team, comprising key executive, technology, legal, trading, and operations personnel, would compile information and direct the course of action. Under this scenario, a backup work site may be activated. In the short term, this site would be used to operate essential functions. Certain personnel may be deployed to other sites to further ongoing recovery to normal operations. The recovery team would also determine how best to share general information with clients. This could include website postings and phone numbers to hear recorded messages. Clients would also be contacted directly as needed. The recovery time objective is 24-48 hours or 2-4 days depending on the scenario level and response procedures.
Dimensional's offices in Austin, Sydney, London, Chicago, and Vancouver would be part of any major recovery scenario for the Santa Monica headquarters. In a Santa Monica recovery, critical business functions can be run from Dimensional's Austin, Sydney, London, and Chicago offices, and staff members could be dispatched to work from those offices. In the worst-case scenario, the Austin office is prepared to take charge of coordinating the recovery plan. In this situation, the recovery time objective for critical functions is approximately one week.
In case of an event that requires Dimensional's other offices to assume certain operational functions, you can reach those offices at:
Santa Monica: (310) 395-8005
Austin: (512) 306-7400
Chicago: (312) 382-5370
London: +44 (20) 7016-4500
Sydney: +61 (2) 8336-7100
The recovery plan and this summary are subject to revisions. A hard copy may be obtained on request.