CU*Answers, the West Michigan-based core date processor, indicated that during the month of May they would be performing a lengthy test of its disaster recovery capabilities. Each spring, an intense 60‑hour disaster simulation is performed to test the ability to recover CU*BASE^® core-processing systems at an alternate hot site. The 100%-credit union owned CUSO also asks that a few select “proxy” credit unions participate in the exercise to test network connectivity, CU*BASE GOLD application access, and member-date integrity. This participation helps CU*Answers confirm their efforts and provides the credit unions with an opportunity to “share” in the disaster recovery test experience, with little interruption to their member services.

The CUSO added that multiple tests of their disaster recovery and high availability capabilities are performed annually to ensure proper coverage for their clients. Although CU*Answers reports scheduled uptime of 100% over the past four years, they stressed that they would continue to rigorously test their datacenters to ensure proper response.

CU*Answers added that the results for all tests are published on their website for client credit unions to include in their board packets as part of their due diligence.