What is an essential feature of a successful Business Continuity Plan?

A successful Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is fundamentally designed to ensure that an organization can continue its critical operations and services during and after a disruptive event, such as natural disasters, cyber-attacks, or other emergencies. The primary goal of a BCP is to minimize downtime and maintain essential functions, which is why the focus on continuity of critical operations and services is essential. This involves identifying key processes, preparing responses, and establishing recovery plans to ensure that the organization can quickly revert to normal operations or maintain those critical services even in adverse conditions.

While training staff and stakeholders, as well as considering cost-saving measures, are important components of a comprehensive approach to business continuity, they do not encapsulate the overarching goal of ensuring continuity. A BCP must prioritize the uninterrupted functioning of essential services, which involves a systematic approach addressing not only technology but also personnel, physical assets, and communication strategies—all integral to the organization's resilience and ability to respond effectively to disruptions.