Course Details

Business Continuity Management for Telecommunications Companies Training Course

Introduction

In the hyper-connected digital age, telecommunications services are the lifeblood of modern society and the economy. From voice and data communication to internet access and critical infrastructure control, any disruption to telecom networks can have immediate, widespread, and devastating ripple effects across all sectors, impacting businesses, government, public safety, and individual citizens. Our intensive 10-day "Business Continuity Management for Telecommunications Companies" training course is meticulously designed to equip professionals within telecom operators, internet service providers (ISPs), and related infrastructure providers with the specialized knowledge and practical frameworks required to develop, implement, and maintain robust Business Continuity Management (BCM) programs tailored to the unique complexities, technical challenges, and stringent regulatory demands of this critical industry.

This comprehensive program delves into the specific challenges of ensuring network resilience, managing complex IT and operational technology (OT) interdependencies, navigating stringent regulatory mandates, and coordinating effectively with emergency services and interconnected sectors. Participants will gain in-depth understanding of how to conduct a telecom-specific Business Impact Analysis (BIA), prioritize essential network services, design resilient infrastructure and service delivery models, and establish effective incident response protocols for widespread network outages or cyberattacks. By the end of this specialized training, you will be proficient in establishing a resilient BCM framework that not only safeguards telecommunications operations but also ensures the continuous flow of information, supports national security, and maintains public welfare in the face of any unforeseen challenge.

Duration

10 Days

Target Audience

The "Business Continuity Management for Telecommunications Companies" training course is essential for a wide range of professionals within the telecommunications sector who are responsible for network operations, service delivery, and organizational resilience. This includes:

• Network Operations Managers/Engineers: Directly responsible for the continuity and restoration of network services.
• IT and Data Center Managers: Overseeing the infrastructure supporting telecom operations and data.
• Business Continuity Managers/Coordinators: Specifically focused on BCM program development within telecom companies.
• Cybersecurity Professionals: Protecting telecom networks and data from cyber threats.
• Service Delivery Managers: Ensuring the continuity of customer-facing telecom services.
• Risk Management Professionals: Specializing in operational, technological, and systemic risks within the telecom sector.
• Emergency Preparedness and Response Teams: Involved in large-scale network outage management and incident response.
• Compliance and Regulatory Affairs Officers: Ensuring adherence to telecom-specific regulations (e.g., CAK in Kenya).
• Procurement and Supply Chain Managers: Ensuring continuity of network equipment, software, and critical spares.
• Senior Leadership/Executives: Accountable for the resilience of the telecom network and services.

Course Objectives

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

• Understand the unique threats, interdependencies, and regulatory environment for BCM in the telecommunications sector.
• Interpret and apply specific BCM guidelines from telecom regulators (e.g., Communications Authority of Kenya - CAK).
• Conduct a telecom-specific Business Impact Analysis (BIA) for critical network services, infrastructure, and operations.
• Define appropriate Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) for network restoration and data.
• Develop robust continuity strategies tailored for core network elements, access networks, and support systems.
• Implement effective incident response and crisis management protocols for network outages and cyberattacks.
• Understand and manage complex interdependencies within the telecom ecosystem and with other critical sectors.
• Plan and execute realistic exercises and drills to validate the effectiveness of telecom continuity plans.
• Ensure the BCM program aligns with national security priorities and international best practices for critical information infrastructure.
• Contribute significantly to maintaining essential communication services and national connectivity during disruptive events.

Course Modules

Module 1: The Criticality and Unique Context of BCM in Telecommunications

• Understanding telecommunications as critical national infrastructure and its systemic importance.
• Overview of the unique threat landscape: network outages, cable cuts, cyberattacks, natural disasters, equipment failures.
• Consequences of telecom service disruptions: cascading failures in other sectors, economic paralysis, public safety impact.
• Key regulatory bodies and their mandates for resilience in the telecommunications sector (e.g., CAK in Kenya, ITU guidelines).
• The concept of 'always-on' demand and customer expectations for telecom services.

Module 2: Governance, Policy & Regulatory Compliance for Telecom BCM

• Establishing a robust BCM governance framework that meets regulatory expectations for telecom companies.
• Developing BCM policies and charters aligned with sector-specific mandates and national security interests.
• Defining clear roles, responsibilities, and accountability for BCM across network, IT, and operational functions.
• Integrating BCM with network operations, information security, and risk management frameworks.
• Requirements for reporting BCM capabilities and incidents to regulatory authorities (e.g., CAK incident reporting).

Module 3: Business Impact Analysis (BIA) for Telecom Services & Infrastructure

• Conducting a BIA focused on essential telecom services: voice, data, internet, emergency services (e.g., 999/911).
• Identifying critical network elements: core network, access network (Fibre, 4G/5G), data centers, international gateways.
• Determining RTOs and RPOs for network restoration, application recovery, and customer service systems.
• Assessing the impact of network outages on subscribers, businesses, government, and other critical sectors.
• Mapping complex interdependencies within the telecom network and with utility providers.

Module 4: Network Resilience & Redundancy Strategies

• Designing network architectures for high availability and fault tolerance (e.g., redundant paths, diverse routing).
• Strategies for active-active and active-passive network configurations.
• Implementing geographic diversity for data centers and network hubs.
• Utilizing network virtualization and software-defined networking (SDN) for enhanced resilience.
• Contingency plans for international connectivity and undersea cable breaks.

Module 5: IT Disaster Recovery (DR) for Telecom Support Systems

• Ensuring resilience of critical IT systems supporting network operations (e.g., billing, CRM, network management systems).
• Data backup, replication, and restoration for subscriber data, network configurations, and operational logs.
• Cybersecurity measures and recovery from cyberattacks targeting telecom IT infrastructure.
• Cloud-based DR solutions for telecom IT systems.
• Compliance with data privacy regulations (e.g., Kenya's Data Protection Act, 2019) for subscriber data.

Module 6: Operational Technology (OT) and Network Element Recovery

• Strategies for recovering core network elements (e.g., MSCs, SGSNs, routers, switches) and their configurations.
• Procedures for restoring access network components (e.g., base stations, OLTs, DSLAMs).
• Management of power systems (generators, UPS) and cooling for network equipment.
• Specialized recovery plans for satellite communications, microwave links, and fibre optic networks.
• Ensuring the availability of specialized tools and test equipment for network repairs.

Module 7: Supply Chain Continuity for Telecom Equipment & Spares

• Identifying critical suppliers of network equipment, software licenses, and specialized components.
• Strategies for diversifying supplier base and establishing strategic reserves of critical spares.
• Developing contractual agreements with vendors that include BCM and emergency support clauses.
• Managing logistics for rapid delivery of equipment and personnel during widespread outages.
• Addressing long lead times for specialized telecom hardware.

Module 8: Incident Response & Crisis Management for Telecom Outages

• Developing a telecom-specific incident response plan for network failures, cyberattacks, and service degradations.
• Establishing a Network Operations Center (NOC) or Security Operations Center (SOC) as the command hub.
• Protocols for rapid fault detection, diagnosis, isolation, and restoration of network services.
• Managing field operations, technician dispatch, and public safety during major outages.
• Coordinating with emergency services, government agencies, and other interconnected telecom operators.

Module 9: Communication & Public Relations During Telecom Crises

• Developing a comprehensive communication plan for subscribers, businesses, regulators, and media during network outages.
• Crafting clear, transparent, and empathetic messages about service status, estimated restoration times, and impact.
• Establishing a dedicated crisis communication team and spokesperson.
• Utilizing diverse channels: automated alerts, website updates, social media, traditional media.
• Managing public perception and maintaining customer trust during service disruptions.

Module 10: Testing, Maintenance & Continuous Improvement

• Designing and conducting rigorous network-specific exercises (e.g., core network failover tests, major site outage simulations).
• Participating in industry-wide drills and inter-operator exercises.
• Evaluating exercise performance against RTOs, RPOs, and regulatory requirements.
• Documenting lessons learned, identifying network vulnerabilities, and implementing corrective actions.
• Establishing a robust maintenance schedule for BCM plans, network infrastructure, and recovery procedures.

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