Your business could be hit with many negative effects when disaster occurs. Customers could quit, suppliers may withdraw support, and capital sources or investors could stop funding. These events can put pressure on executives to ensure that operations are running smoothly. But a well-crafted business continuity plan can help your company to survive any situation.
A business continuity plan defines the essential functions that need to continue to function during a disaster and defines what resources are required to run those services. A business impact assessment (BIA) or risk https://happyboardroom.com/cybersecurity-checklist-for-nonprofits/ assessment (RA) is an important first step.
From there, companies need to decide on how to deal with each threat they are aware of and what the acceptable timeframe for downtime will be for each essential task. The next step is creating an emergency response plan. It’s a detailed document that includes step-by-step instructions. The plan should include contact details for emergency services, recovery strategies, and detailed steps to take.
It’s a good idea, too, to test and improve business continuity plans regularly. During this time you can conduct tabletop exercises, simulations and other types of testing to determine whether the plan is effective in the event of a real-world disaster. These tests may also reveal areas that need improvement. It is essential to keep your business continuity plan updated, especially when your technology, processes and employees change. Regularly testing and reviewing your plan will ensure that your plan remains up to the challenge of any disaster.