COVID-19 has increasingly raised awareness about Business Continuity Planning. Many office-based firms have changed and planned to work from home. It is no longer possible for an organisation with limited contingencies to have sufficient protection against the changes in the modern world.
What is ISO 22301:2019?
ISO 22301:2019 is an international standard published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and it describes how to manage business continuity in an organisation. It was released to help all types of businesses to be ready to handle any form of disruption. It talks about business continuity management and it is utilised to make businesses more flexible.
This is why ISO 22301:2019 is important?
ISO 22301:2019 changed the aim of business continuity to make it more operational and active in the modern business world. The business continuity management systems that are aligned with ISO 22301:2019 have an ongoing process for management that needs the right people to work in conjunction with the right support to ensure that the objectives are achieved.
This standard recognises the importance of planning for businesses to adapt to the new normal after an incident. Business continuity management systems allow all businesses to plan and consider the correct way forward once an emergency is addressed.
How can ISO 22301:2019 help companies reduce risks?
ISO 22301: 2019 allows businesses to test their plans before a real incident occurs, which adds protection against risks through what is called a test and fault approach. This finds the systems which suit businesses the best. Through the use of these exercises associates of the business develop effective responses to disruptive incidents thus reducing the risk of an incident having bigger consequences. ISO 22301:2019 can reduce risk through its flexibility.
I have a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in place do I still need to be ISO 22301:2019 Certified?
No, a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is a detailed plan that organisations need to put in place to respond to emergencies within the organisation. A Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) bundles inter-related methods, procedures, and rules to ensure that business processes keep running in the event of any incidents.
Conclusion
No matter how big or small your organisation is, a well-developed business continuity management system is important for its success and survivability. Think about the ever-rising threats and the growing pace of natural or any other disasters, every organisation needs to have a business continuity management system in place.
How do I get certified?
With WWISE. WWISE (World Wide Industrial & Systems Engineers) is an ISO consultancy, training, business solutions, and systems development firm in South Africa that provides clients with effective business processes and quality management solutions in preparation for ISO and OHSAS compliance. Our consultants are ready to help. For more information contact WWISE on 08610 99473 or visit https://www.wwise.co.za/.