Business Continuity Management for Senior Executives and Board Members Training Course

Introduction

In today's volatile and interconnected global landscape, organizational resilience is no longer merely an operational concern; it is a critical strategic imperative that directly impacts shareholder value, regulatory compliance, brand reputation, and long-term sustainability. Senior executives and Board Members bear ultimate fiduciary and oversight responsibility for ensuring the organization's ability to withstand and rapidly recover from major disruptions, whether they stem from cyberattacks, natural disasters, economic crises, or public health emergencies. A lack of effective Business Continuity Management (BCM) at the strategic level can lead to catastrophic losses, regulatory penalties, erosion of stakeholder trust, and even organizational failure. Our intensive 10-day "Business Continuity Management for Senior Executives and Board Members" training course is meticulously designed to equip top-tier leadership with the strategic foresight, governance principles, and oversight capabilities required to champion, direct, and effectively scrutinize their organization's resilience posture.

This executive-level program moves beyond tactical planning, focusing instead on the strategic implications of BCM, enterprise-wide risk management, and the alignment of resilience objectives with overall business strategy. Participants will gain a deep understanding of their oversight responsibilities, learn how to critically evaluate the effectiveness of BCM programs, ensure adequate investment, and foster a culture of resilience from the top down. By the end of this comprehensive training, you will be proficient in providing strategic leadership for BCM, making informed decisions that safeguard the organization's mission, protect its assets, and ensure enduring value creation in the face of any unforeseen challenge.

Duration

10 Days

Target Audience

The "Business Continuity Management for Senior Executives and Board Members" training course is specifically designed for the highest levels of organizational leadership who have strategic oversight, fiduciary responsibility, and decision-making authority regarding the organization's overall resilience. This includes:

  • Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Managing Directors: Responsible for the overall strategic direction and performance.
  • Board Members and Directors (Executive & Non-Executive): Providing governance and oversight.
  • Chief Operating Officers (COOs): Overseeing day-to-day operations and their continuity.
  • Chief Financial Officers (CFOs): Managing financial risk, liquidity, and investment in resilience.
  • Chief Risk Officers (CROs): Leading enterprise-wide risk management frameworks.
  • Chief Information Officers (CIOs) and Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs): Responsible for IT and cyber resilience.
  • Chief Legal Officers/General Counsel: Advising on legal and regulatory compliance related to continuity.
  • Heads of Internal Audit: Providing independent assurance on BCM program effectiveness.
  • Senior Vice Presidents/Executive Directors: Leading major divisions or critical functions.
  • Government Ministers and Senior Public Sector Leaders: Accountable for continuity of essential public services.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the "Business Continuity Management for Senior Executives and Board Members" training course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the strategic value proposition and critical importance of BCM at the executive and board level.
  • Comprehend their governance responsibilities and fiduciary duties related to organizational resilience.
  • Provide effective oversight of the BCM program, ensuring its alignment with corporate strategy and risk appetite.
  • Critically evaluate the adequacy and effectiveness of the organization's BCM capabilities and maturity.
  • Understand key BCM metrics, performance indicators, and reporting requirements for executive review.
  • Make informed decisions regarding investment in BCM capabilities, technology, and personnel.
  • Lead the organization's response during a major crisis, demonstrating effective crisis leadership.
  • Foster a pervasive culture of resilience, preparedness, and continuous improvement throughout the organization.
  • Grasp the implications of regulatory requirements and stakeholder expectations for BCM.
  • Enhance organizational reputation and maintain stakeholder confidence through robust resilience.

Course Modules

Module 1: The Strategic Imperative of Organizational Resilience

  • Understanding the evolving threat landscape and its impact on modern enterprises.
  • Defining organizational resilience beyond just disaster recovery.
  • The strategic value proposition of robust BCM: competitive advantage, brand protection, sustained profitability.
  • Case studies of major organizational failures due to lack of resilience at the top.
  • Connecting BCM to ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) and stakeholder value.

Module 2: Executive & Board Governance Responsibilities for BCM

  • Fiduciary duties and legal obligations of senior executives and board members regarding organizational continuity.
  • Establishing an effective governance framework for BCM oversight.
  • Defining the Board's role in setting risk appetite for disruption and approving BCM policies.
  • Ensuring accountability for BCM performance across the organization.
  • The role of Board committees (e.g., Audit, Risk) in BCM oversight.

Module 3: Strategic Risk Management & Business Continuity Alignment

  • Integrating BCM with Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) frameworks at the strategic level.
  • Understanding systemic risks and their potential to cause widespread disruption.
  • Translating strategic objectives into BCM program goals and priorities.
  • Assessing the organization's resilience posture against its strategic risk profile.
  • Making informed decisions about risk acceptance, mitigation, and transfer in relation to continuity.

Module 4: Business Impact Analysis (BIA) from an Executive Perspective

  • Interpreting BIA results to understand the strategic impact of disruptions on critical services, market share, and reputation.
  • Approving Maximum Tolerable Periods of Disruption (MTPD) for key business functions.
  • Understanding the interconnectedness of business processes and external dependencies.
  • Reviewing the quantification of financial, operational, and reputational impacts.
  • Using BIA insights for strategic investment and resource allocation decisions.

Module 5: Investment, Resource Allocation & Program Funding

  • Justifying BCM investments as strategic enablers, not just cost centers.
  • Understanding the cost of downtime versus the cost of resilience.
  • Allocating sufficient resources (financial, human, technological) to the BCM program.
  • Reviewing BCM budget proposals and major capital expenditures for resilience initiatives.
  • Assessing the ROI of resilience investments.

Module 6: Crisis Leadership & Executive Decision-Making

  • The critical role of executive leadership during a major crisis.
  • Developing and testing an executive crisis management framework.
  • Decision-making under extreme pressure and uncertainty.
  • Effective communication strategies for internal and external stakeholders during a crisis.
  • Protecting brand and reputation during a high-profile disruption.

Module 7: Supply Chain & Third-Party Resilience Oversight

  • Understanding the systemic risks introduced by complex supply chains and third-party dependencies.
  • Board-level oversight of supply chain resilience strategies.
  • Reviewing third-party BCM due diligence and contractual requirements.
  • Assessing the organization's exposure to single points of failure in its extended ecosystem.
  • Developing strategies for supplier diversification and collaboration for resilience.

Module 8: Cyber Resilience as a Strategic Imperative

  • Understanding cybersecurity as a top-tier business continuity risk for modern organizations.
  • Oversight of cyber resilience strategy, including prevention, detection, and rapid recovery.
  • Reviewing the organization's capabilities to withstand and recover from major cyberattacks.
  • The interplay between cybersecurity incident response and BCM activation.
  • Ensuring adequate investment in cyber defense and recovery capabilities.

Module 9: Measuring, Reporting & Assuring BCM Effectiveness

  • Key performance indicators (KPIs) and key risk indicators (KRIs) for BCM effectiveness.
  • Interpreting BCM audit reports and assurance statements (internal and external).
  • Understanding the organization's BCM maturity level and roadmap for improvement.
  • Ensuring transparent and timely reporting on resilience posture to the Board and regulators.
  • Benchmarking BCM practices against industry peers and leading standards (e.g., ISO 22301).

Module 10: Fostering a Culture of Resilience & Continuous Improvement

  • The role of executive leadership in championing a culture of preparedness throughout the organization.
  • Leading by example in BCM awareness, training, and testing participation.
  • Establishing a learning culture from incidents, near misses, and exercises.
  • Promoting innovation and adaptability in response to evolving threats.
  • Ensuring BCM is integrated into strategic planning and corporate decision-making.

CERTIFICATION

  • Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

  • Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

  • Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com

 

Business Continuity Management For Senior Executives And Board Members Training Course in Sri Lanka
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