Course Details

Introduction to Business Continuity Management Training Course

Introduction

In today's unpredictable world, organizations face a myriad of threats, from natural disasters and cyberattacks to supply chain disruptions and pandemics, any of which can severely impact operations and reputation. Our comprehensive "Introduction to Business Continuity Management" training course is designed to equip professionals with the foundational knowledge and practical understanding needed to develop, implement, and maintain robust business continuity plans. This course will demystify the core principles of BCM, empowering you to ensure organizational resilience, safeguard critical functions, and maintain operations during and after disruptive incidents, thereby protecting stakeholders and minimizing financial losses.

This engaging program provides a clear pathway to understanding the importance of proactive risk assessment, developing effective response strategies, and establishing recovery capabilities that safeguard an organization's future. Participants will learn how to identify essential business processes, analyze potential impacts of disruptions, and build a framework that allows for swift and organized recovery. By the end of this training, you will be well-versed in the critical components of BCM, ready to contribute to your organization's ability to withstand unforeseen challenges and sustain its core operations.

Duration.

10 days

Target Audience

The "Introduction to Business Continuity Management" training course is designed for a broad range of professionals who need to understand the fundamentals of ensuring organizational resilience and preparedness. This includes:

• Managers and Team Leaders: Across all departments (IT, Operations, HR, Finance, etc.) who play a role in business processes.
• Risk Management Professionals: Looking to integrate BCM principles into their broader risk strategies.
• Compliance Officers: Needing to understand how BCM contributes to regulatory adherence.
• IT Professionals: Involved in disaster recovery planning and ensuring system availability.
• Project Managers: Overseeing initiatives that impact critical business functions.
• Emergency Response Team Members: Those who would be part of a crisis management or incident response team.
• Auditors: Evaluating an organization's preparedness and resilience plans.
• New BCM Practitioners: Individuals starting their journey in business continuity or disaster recovery.
• Business Owners and Entrepreneurs: Seeking to protect their enterprises from potential disruptions.
• Anyone interested in organizational resilience and operational preparedness.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the "Introduction to Business Continuity Management" training course, participants will be able to:

• Define Business Continuity Management (BCM) and its importance in today's business environment.
• Understand the key components and lifecycle of a BCM program.
• Identify critical business processes and their dependencies within an organization.
• Conduct a basic Business Impact Analysis (BIA) to determine recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs).
• Grasp the principles of risk assessment as applied to business continuity.
• Learn about various continuity strategies and solutions for different business functions.
• Understand the role of incident response and crisis management in BCM.
• Familiarize themselves with BCM plan development, testing, and maintenance.
• Recognize relevant international standards and best practices in BCM.
• Contribute effectively to their organization's business continuity planning efforts.

Course Modules

Module 1: Understanding Business Continuity Management (BCM)

• Definition and fundamental principles of Business Continuity Management.
• The importance of BCM in a global, interconnected, and unpredictable business landscape.
• Benefits of implementing an effective BCM program (reputation, financial, compliance).
• Key terminology in BCM (disruption, incident, crisis, resilience).
• Distinction between Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, and Crisis Management.

Module 2: The BCM Lifecycle and Standards

• Overview of the BCM lifecycle: Policy, Analysis, Strategy, Response & Recovery, Testing & Maintenance.
• Introduction to international BCM standards (e.g., ISO 22301, NFPA 1600, BCI Good Practice Guidelines).
• Regulatory drivers and compliance requirements for BCM in various sectors.
• The role of top management and organizational culture in BCM success.
• Integrating BCM with other management systems (e.g., Risk Management, IT Security).

Module 3: Program Management & Governance

• Establishing the BCM policy and scope within the organization.
• Defining roles and responsibilities within the BCM program (BCM Coordinator, BCM Team).
• Developing a BCM governance structure.
• Obtaining management commitment and resources for BCM initiatives.
• Communication strategies for raising BCM awareness across the organization.

Module 4: Business Impact Analysis (BIA)

• Purpose and methodology of conducting a Business Impact Analysis (BIA).
• Identifying critical business processes and their interdependencies.
• Determining Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs).
• Assessing the financial and operational impacts of disruptions.
• Using BIA results to prioritize recovery efforts and allocate resources.

Module 5: Risk Assessment for Business Continuity

• Overview of risk management principles relevant to BCM.
• Identifying potential threats and vulnerabilities to critical business processes.
• Assessing the likelihood and impact of various disruptive events.
• Analyzing existing controls and their effectiveness.
• Using risk assessment results to inform continuity strategies.

Module 6: Business Continuity Strategies

• Developing appropriate continuity strategies based on BIA and risk assessment.
• Strategies for IT recovery (e.g., hot sites, cold sites, cloud-based recovery).
• Strategies for non-IT functions (e.g., alternative work locations, manual workarounds).
• Resource requirements for various strategies (personnel, equipment, facilities, data).
• Cost-benefit analysis of different continuity strategy options.

Module 7: Incident Response & Crisis Management

• Understanding the difference between an incident, a disaster, and a crisis.
• Establishing an Incident Response Plan (IRP) and Crisis Management Team (CMT).
• Key steps in incident assessment, notification, and escalation.
• Communication strategies during a crisis (internal and external stakeholders).
• Decision-making protocols during a disruptive event.

Module 8: Business Continuity Plan Development

• Components of a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan (BCP).
• Structuring the BCP for clarity and ease of use during an incident.
• Developing recovery procedures for critical business processes.
• Creating communication trees and contact lists for emergency response.
• Integrating IT Disaster Recovery Plans with the overall BCP.

Module 9: BCM Testing, Training & Awareness

• Importance of regular BCM plan testing to ensure effectiveness.
• Different types of tests: walk-throughs, tabletop exercises, simulations, full-scale exercises.
• Developing a testing schedule and evaluating test results.
• Training programs for BCM teams and employees.
• Strategies for ongoing BCM awareness campaigns across the organization.

Module 10: BCM Maintenance & Continuous Improvement

• Establishing a process for regular review and update of the BCM program and plans.
• Managing changes to business processes, technology, and organizational structure.
• Post-incident review and lessons learned.
• Performance measurement and reporting on BCM program effectiveness.
• Fostering a culture of resilience and continuous improvement within the organization.

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