Snapshot of DTCC’s Continuity Infrastructure

When EuroCCP opens for business, it will already be incorporated into DTCC’s business continuity plan, which the organization continually reinforces and reassesses. Here’s an overview of major continuity capabilities for withstanding disruptions and threats.

DTCC has geographically dispersed its personnel and operations, and has recovery capability for transaction processing from multiple-location data centers within two hours. In addition, its communications network, called SMART, has self-healing capabilities and the ability to seamlessly use any of the data centers for processing.

Utilizing technology that delivers both synchronous and asynchronous data replication, DTCC moves the data in its mainframe systems to alternate data centers in real time and as close to real time as possible over thousands of miles to other locations. This keeps the information in each of the company’s multiple data centers consistent and up-to-date.

Connectivity testing with customers is another priority. Firms that account for the bulk of the business with DTCC subsidiaries are required to test connectivity between their back-up sites and DTCC’s data centers at least once a year. Internally, DTCC regularly conducts tabletop exercises and other drills for its multiple sites and departments within the company.

More recent additions to the continuity program include pandemic planning and vendor management, which ensures key vendors are capable of supplying critical goods and services during an unplanned business interruption.