What is a disaster recovery test?
Workiva performs an annual disaster recovery test to ensure the resilience of our platform and the security of your data. This required exercise simulates the loss of a major data center to evaluate the functionality of our services and platform. By simulating this loss, we verify our platform's ability to maintain data security and service continuity even under extreme, unexpected conditions.
Who is affected by the tests? How will the tests affect the Workiva platform?
All Workiva accounts, customers and partners, are included in this testing. Because of the parameters of the requirements, this test impacts all production regions, including the US, EU, and APAC.
During the 90-minute testing window, users may experience unpredictable platform behavior, such as latency, errors, or inability to access the platform. APIs and integrations will experience similar impact, with requests potentially being interrupted or delayed.
Does this impact Canada or LATAM? Which production region hosts my account?
Yes, all accounts hosted on the US, EU, or APAC production regions will likely experience disruptions as a result of the simulated test. Your Workiva region is identified by the URL you use to log in to the platform:
- US Production (app.wdesk.com)
- EU Production (eu.wdesk.com)
- APAC Production (apac.wdesk.com)
When is the disaster recovery test?
The dates and times of the tests may vary each year. The most recent times are as follows:
- EU Production: Thursday, June 25, 2026 from 3:00am–4:30am US Central Daylight Time | June 25, 2026 from 10:00am - 11:30am CEST
- US Production: Thursday, June 25, 2026 from 8:00am–9:30am US Central Daylight Time
- APAC Production: Friday, June 26, 2026 from 1:00pm–2:30pm US Central Daylight Time | June 27 from 2:00am - 3:30am SGT
Why do we perform disaster recovery tests?
Testing is a critical part of maintaining a safe and reliable platform.
- Resiliency and Continuity: This simulation ensures that your data remains secure and that work processes can continue if a real-world disaster occurs.
- Customer Confidence: Successful testing gives our partners and customers confidence that Workiva is prepared for the unexpected possibility of major infrastructure failures.
Why do we test during business hours?
To meet the specific requirements of our global customers, the US and EU production tests must be conducted during regular business hours with a regular amount of user traffic. Our requirements in APAC do not currently mandate us to test during business hours, so the APAC production test will occur during off-hours to minimize disruption.
How does Workiva pick the date of the test?
Workiva leaders analyze platform usage and global filing requirements to choose a time that is least disruptive to our customers and partners. We acknowledge that there is no perfect time, and the test may impact some accounts more than others. Please work with your Customer Success contact to strategize how to minimize the test's impact on your work processes.
How long is the simulated test?
The simulated test is scheduled for a 90-minute window and will start at the stated time. Historically, we’ve documented user impact has been 30-minutes or less. Please keep in mind:
- Most disruption occurs within the first five minutes as workloads shift from the affected zone.
- The parameters of the experiment are set so that active disruption lasts for 30 minutes.
- Even in a worst-case scenario past tests have shown that Workiva can restore normal function within minutes of ending the experiment.
Where can I find the results of the test?
Results are posted about six weeks after the test concludes and is provided for on-demand access in the compliance portal.
How can I receive updates on disaster recovery tests?
To stay informed about upcoming simulated tests and receive real-time updates during the 60-day notice and testing window, please leverage the following resources:
- Visit the Status Page: Find dates, times, and live progress updates by visiting status.workiva.com.
- Subscribe for Notifications: Subscribe to the status page to receive direct alerts when tests begin and end.
- Check In-App Messaging: If you log in to the Workiva platform leading up to the test, you will see in-app notifications providing details about the testing period.
All updates regarding the start, end, and potential rescheduling will be updated on the status page, and in the Workiva platform.
Additionally, a 60-day notice is emailed to all organization admins; at this time, we are unable to add individuals or additional roles to this distribution list.