The Importance of Business Continuity Planning
Business Continuity Planning (BCP) is a crucial aspect of modern business management. It involves developing strategies and procedures to ensure that an organization can continue to operate during and after a crisis or disruption. According to a study by the Business Continuity Institute, 80% of businesses that experience a major disaster without a BCP in place will go out of business within a year (1). In this blog post, we will explore the development history of Business Continuity Planning, from its humble beginnings to the sophisticated frameworks used today.
Early Days of Business Continuity Planning (1960s-1980s)
The concept of Business Continuity Planning emerged in the 1960s, primarily driven by the need for disaster recovery in the IT sector. The first BCP frameworks were developed by companies such as IBM, which introduced the concept of disaster recovery as a comprehensive approach to managing IT systems (2). During the 1970s and 1980s, BCP began to gain traction in other industries, such as finance and healthcare. However, these early frameworks were largely focused on IT disaster recovery and did not address the broader business continuity requirements.
The Emergence of Modern Business Continuity Planning (1990s-2000s)
The 1990s saw a significant shift in the approach to Business Continuity Planning. The introduction of the ISO 17799 standard in 1995 marked a major milestone in the development of BCP. This standard provided a framework for information security management and included requirements for business continuity planning (3). The turn of the century saw an increased focus on business continuity, driven by the Y2K bug and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Business Continuity Institute was established in 1994, providing a professional body for BCP practitioners and helping to promote best practices (4).
The Role of Standards and Frameworks in Business Continuity Planning
The development of standards and frameworks has played a crucial role in shaping Business Continuity Planning. The ISO 22301 standard, published in 2012, provides a comprehensive framework for business continuity management (5). Other notable frameworks include the Business Continuity Institute’s Good Practice Guidelines (6) and the Disaster Recovery Institute’s Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) program (7). These frameworks provide a structured approach to business continuity planning, ensuring that organizations can identify and mitigate risks, develop effective emergency response plans, and ensure ongoing business operations.
The Future of Business Continuity Planning
As the business landscape continues to evolve, so too must Business Continuity Planning. The increasing reliance on technology, the growing threat of cyber-attacks, and the impact of climate change all present new challenges for BCP practitioners. According to a study by Gartner, by 2025, 80% of organizations will have adopted a cloud-based business continuity platform (8). The future of BCP will require a greater emphasis on flexibility, adaptability, and resilience. Organizations must develop the ability to respond quickly to changing circumstances and ensure that their business continuity plans are aligned with their overall business strategy.
Conclusion
The development history of Business Continuity Planning is a story of evolution and growth. From its humble beginnings in the 1960s to the sophisticated frameworks used today, BCP has become an essential aspect of modern business management. As the business landscape continues to change, it is crucial that organizations prioritize business continuity planning to ensure their survival and success. We invite you to share your thoughts on the future of Business Continuity Planning. What do you think are the biggest challenges facing BCP practitioners, and how can organizations best prepare for the challenges ahead? Leave a comment below and join the conversation.
References:
(1) Business Continuity Institute. (2019). Business Continuity Awareness Week Survey.
(2) IBM. (1969). Disaster Recovery: A Comprehensive Approach to Managing IT Systems.
(3) International Organization for Standardization. (1995). ISO 17799: Information Technology - Code of Practice for Information Security Management.
(4) Business Continuity Institute. (n.d.). About Us.
(5) International Organization for Standardization. (2012). ISO 22301: Societal Security - Business Continuity Management Systems.
(6) Business Continuity Institute. (2018). Good Practice Guidelines 2018.
(7) Disaster Recovery Institute International. (n.d.). Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP).
(8) Gartner. (2020). Cloud-Based Business Continuity Platforms Will Become the Norm by 2025.