Business continuity plan
Overview
A Business continuity plan (BCP) is a document that outlines how an organization will continue operating during an unplanned disruption in service. It's more comprehensive than a disaster recovery plan and contains contingencies for business processes, assets, human resources and business partners – every aspect of the business that might be affected.
Purpose of a Business Continuity Plan
The purpose of a risk management plan is to protect personnel and assets and ensure they can function quickly when disaster strikes. Business continuity planning is a component of a larger risk management strategy that includes identifying potential disruptions to operations and implementing safeguards against these threats.
Components of a Business Continuity Plan
A business continuity plan is divided into several parts, each addressing a specific aspect of business operations that could be affected by a disruption. These components include:
- Business Impact Analysis: This section includes a breakdown of the organization's most critical business functions and the impact a disruption might have on them. This part of the BCP also includes estimated recovery times.
- Recovery: This part of the plan includes steps to restore the affected business functions after a disruption.
- Organization: A small team, known as the Business Continuity Team, is typically formed to ensure the continuity plan is executed effectively. This section of the BCP outlines the roles and responsibilities of this team.
- Training: The plan should include a training program for the Business Continuity Team and other employees. This training typically involves testing the plan and the systems in place to ensure they work effectively.
The Process of Creating a Business Continuity Plan
Creating a business continuity plan involves the identification of potential threats, a detailed review of what each department needs to do in the event of a disruption, and the development of a plan to maintain business operations.
- Risk Assessment: The first step in creating a BCP is to identify the potential threats to the organization. This can include natural disasters, cyber attacks, or any other events that could disrupt business operations.
- Business Impact Analysis: After identifying potential threats, the next step is to determine how those threats, if they were to occur, would impact day-to-day operations.
- Plan Development: Once the risks and their impact are understood, the next step is to develop the plan itself. This includes outlining the steps that each department, team, and individual needs to take in the event of a disruption.
- Testing and Maintenance: After the plan is developed, it should be tested to ensure it would work if a disruption were to occur. This testing can be done through a variety of methods, including tabletop exercises and full-scale drills.
Importance of a Business Continuity Plan
In today's unpredictable business environment, a business continuity plan is more important than ever. A well-developed BCP can help an organization weather a storm and resume operations with minimal disruption. Without a BCP, an organization may face a significant loss of revenue, reputation, and customer trust.