Many organizations are increasingly focusing on business continuity due to current uncertainties, such as trade wars, natural disasters, and other events that can disrupt operations. To ensure resilience, businesses should align their Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) with global best practices and internationally recognized standards.
In this article, we’ll explore how you can achieve this alignment and enhance the effectiveness, credibility, and compliance of your business continuity system.
What are Global Practices for BCMS?
Several internationally recognized frameworks provide best practices for business continuity. Aligning your BCMS with these standards helps ensure regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, and stakeholder confidence. The most widely adopted include guidelines and frameworks:
ISO 22301:2019 Security and Resilience - Business continuity management systems
The global standard for BCMS, providing a framework for building resilience, minimizing downtime, and ensuring recovery.
Business Continuity Institute (BCI) - Good Practice Guidelines
Practical, globally accepted methodologies for effective BCMS implementation.
NFPA 16000:2024 - Standard for Emergency, Continuity, and Crisis Management
A U.S. standard outlining on Continuity, Emergency, and Crisis Management
ISO 31000:2018 Risk Management
A risk management framework that complements business continuity by identifying and mitigating potential threats.
How to Align Your BCMS?
Global practices emphasize a risk-based approach to business continuity. This means identifying potential risks that could disrupt your business and implementing controls to mitigate them.
Key Steps to Implement This Approach
Conduct a Business Impact Analysis (BIA) to determine critical business functions and acceptable downtime.
Perform a Risk Assessment to evaluate threats such as cyberattacks, supply chain failures, and natural disasters.
Develop Business continuity Plans for responding to disruptions and regular reviews and exercises the plans to validate the effectiveness.
Integrate BCMS with Organizational Strategy
A successful BCMS is not a standalone system - it should be embedded into your organization’s culture and strategic objectives.
Create a resilience culture from top-down where business continuity is everyone’s responsibility.
Benefits of Alignment Your BCMS
Aligning your BCMS with global best practices ensures resilience, operational continuity, and stakeholder confidence in times of crisis. By following international standards, integrating risk management, testing your plans, and fostering a culture of preparedness, your organization will be well-equipped to handle disruptions.
Need Expert Guidance?
If you want to align your BCMS with ISO 22301 and other best practices, our expert consultancy services can help. Contact us to ensure your business stays resilient in an unpredictable world.