Who is in charge of business continuity and disaster recovery planning (BCP) and implementation in a company? In board meetings, compliance meetings, and management meetings, this is a common question. Diverse viewpoints exist regarding this matter. Some think that the BCP program should be developed and maintained by the business unit manager or application manager. Some think the application profile owner (APO) should be in charge of it, or even the CEO, CIO, and senior management.
The organization's size and structure will probably have an impact on the response to this query. Having a single person or team in charge of BCP may be more effective in smaller businesses. It might be more efficient in larger companies to divide up the BCP responsibilities among several teams and departments. But generally speaking, the following people or groups are usually involved:
· Executive management: In the end, it is the senior leadership's responsibility to guarantee that the organization has a BCP in place and that it is implemented successfully. This entails giving the BCP approval, allocating funds for its implementation, and supervising its upkeep and testing.
· Business continuity manager (BCM): The BCM is in charge of creating, putting into practice, and overseeing the BCP of the company. This include evaluating risks, analyzing the effects on the business, and designing and evaluating recovery plans. In addition, the BCM might be in charge of educating staff members about the BCP and arranging for its implementation in case of an emergency.
· BCP teams (BRC, RO): Representatives from various departments within the company, including IT, operations, finance, human resources, and legal, usually comprise the BCP team. In order to create and execute the BCP and make sure it is in line with the organization's overarching business plan, this team collaborates with the BCM.
· Emergency response team: This group is in charge of handling and reacting to events like cyberattacks, natural disasters, and violent workplace situations. Depending on the incident, this team might also be involved in carrying out the BCP. The BCP process may involve additional stakeholders, such as insurance companies, vendors, and regulators, in addition to these people and teams.
But are we really restricted to these groups and people? I'll give you a quick response: No. The process of creating and putting into action plans to make sure an organization can keep running in the case of an interruption is known as business continuity and disaster recovery planning, or BCP. BCP is frequently perceived as the domain of a small number of chosen groups or people, like the business continuity manager or the IT department. In actuality, though, BCP is everyone's responsibility and obligation.
Every component of an organization contributes to its capacity to bounce back from a setback. Everyone has a part to play in BCP, from the custodian who maintains the office tidy and safe to the CEO who establishes the strategic direction of the company.
Here are a few instances of how various staff members can support BCP:
· Custodians: By adhering to appropriate safety and security protocols, custodians can aid in safeguarding the organization's tangible assets. They may also be useful in spotting and reporting possible risks.
· Security guards: By enforcing security policies and procedures, security guards can aid in the protection of the organization's personnel and property. They can also assist in responding to emergencies like fires and break-ins.
· IT personnel are essential to Business Continuity Planning (BCP) as they design and manage IT systems and networks. They are involved in the creation and evaluation of the company's BCP as well.
· Business continuity managers: They are in charge of creating, putting into practice, and overseeing the BCP of the company. They are also involved in educating staff members about the BCP and organizing its implementation in case of an interruption.
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· Executives: By offering guidance and assistance, executives are essential to BCP. They are also in charge of giving the BCP their approval and allocating funds for its upkeep and execution.
Apart from these particular instances, every staff member can aid in business continuity planning by being conscious of the organization's threats and weaknesses and by adhering to the BCP protocols in case of an interruption.
It is crucial to make sure that everyone in the company understands their responsibilities in the event of a disruption, regardless of who is in charge of business continuity planning (BCP). This covers the organization's top management, all workers, and any outside suppliers or vendors that are essential to its day-to-day operations.
The following advice will help you make sure your company's BCP is working properly:
· Involve every employee in the BCP procedure within the organization. This covers the organization's top management, all workers, and any outside suppliers or vendors that are essential to its day-to-day operations.
· Verify that the BCP is customized to meet the unique requirements of your company. Since every organization is unique, there isn't a BCP that works for everyone.
· Review and update the BCP on a regular basis. The organization's business environment and threats should be continuously updated in the BCP, making it a living document.
· Educate every staff member on the BCP. Ensure that everyone is aware of their responsibilities under the plan and what to do in case of an emergency.
· Conduct routine BCP tests. This will guarantee that everyone is aware of their responsibilities and help find any holes in the plan.
Organizations can create a strong BCP that will enable them to quickly recover from any disruption by using the advice in this article.
