Course Outline
1. Introduction to Business Continuity Management
This module section introduces the discipline of business continuity management, illustrating how it aligns with broader business strategy and providing a concise overview of risk management principles.
1.1 The necessity of Business Continuity Management
1.2 The context of Business Continuity Management within the business
1.3 Leadership and senior management commitment to Business Continuity
1.4 Review of Risk Management Fundamentals
1.5 The Business Continuity Institute’s Lifecycle
2. BC Policy and Programme Management
This section outlines the initial phases and ongoing requirements for managing the business continuity programme.
2.1 Initial activities
2.2 Implementing the BC Programme
2.3 Supply Chain Continuity
2.4 Documentation
3. Understanding the Organisation (Analysis) – 10 hours
This section explains how business continuity managers assess the organisation and initiate the comprehensive business continuity management programme.
3.1 Identification of Business-Critical Areas
3.2 Terminology
3.3 Business Impact Analysis
3.4 Continuity Requirements Analysis
3.5 Threat and Vulnerability Assessments
3.6 Horizon Scanning
3.7 Risk Assessment
3.8 Evaluation of Options
3.9 Business Cases and Programme Sign-Off
4. Determining the Business Continuity Strategy (Design)
This section details how organisations develop an overarching business continuity strategy.
4.1 Strategic Options
4.2 People
4.3 Premises
4.4 Processes and Procedures
4.5 Technology
4.6 Information
4.7 Supply Chain
4.8 Stakeholders
4.9 Civil Emergencies
5. Business Continuity Response (Implementation) – 6 hours
This section covers the development and implementation of the business continuity response framework.
5.1 Overall Incident Response Structure
5.2 Types of Plan
5.3 Incident Management Plans
5.4 Business Continuity Plans
5.5 Disaster Recovery Plans
5.6 Business Resumption Plans
6. Exercising, Maintenance and Review (Validation) – 4 hours
This section describes the comprehensive programme for exercising, maintaining, and reviewing business continuity plans.
6.1 Exercising and Testing of Plans
6.2 Maintenance of Plans
6.3 Review of Plans
7. Embedding Business Continuity Awareness in the Organisation – 3 hours
This section explains strategies for embedding business continuity awareness throughout the organisation.
7.1 Overall Awareness
7.2 Skills Training
8. Annexes
This section provides supplementary resources for the overall Business Continuity Management programme.
8.1 Glossary of Terms and Definitions
8.2 References
Requirements
Candidates are ideally expected to have 1–2 years of experience in business continuity management. Familiarity with ISO 22301:2019, the international business continuity standard, would be advantageous. The course is primarily suited for professionals already engaged in business continuity management, including business managers overseeing operational functions.
