Business Continuity Planning (BCP)

You will never know when a disaster is about to strike your business – could be fire, flood, wind damage, natural or man-made disaster

What would you do if you couldn’t get to your office for a few days?

What would happen to the business if the building was destroyed?

Where would you work from, how would you work, what do you need to work with?

Would your business survive?

Think about it, plan it, practice it, amend the plan, practice it, plan it

Re-enact a business disaster at least once a year

Businesses must exercise due diligence to ensure that shareholders’ interests are protected in the event that disaster strikes; some industries are subject to regulations that mandate specific BCP procedures. Many businesses also have contractual obligations to, or SLA’s with, their clients that must be met irrespective of a disaster.

A business impact assessment (BIA), will determine the risks that your business faces and that require mitigation. Results from both quantitative and qualitative assessments are used to quantify the impact.

The business continuity plan must contain statements of importance, priorities, organizational responsibility, and urgency and timing. In addition, the documentation should include plans for risk assessment, acceptance, and mitigation, a vital records program, emergency-response guidelines, and plans for maintenance and testing. The BCP must be approved by senior management, and all staff need to be trained on their roles in the process.

Test the plan, update the plan and then re-test the plan – re-test at least once a year.

Reduce costs – Insurance companies will normally reduce premiums if a full BCP is in place

Would your company survive a disaster if it happened tomorrow?