ISO 22301:2012 Business Continuity Management Systems

The ISO 22301:2012 standard sets out the principles, processes and terminology of business continuity planning and protecting critical operations during times of crisis. It specifies the requirements for establishing and implementing a continuity management plan and acts as reference point for all organizations, industries and sectors.

Many organisations are required to provide “continued” operations during various disruptions (e.g. power cuts, major disaster etc.). The ISO 22301 standard is designed to keep businesses operational during any disruption that may occur and to minimise the risks of any such disruptions. By assisting an organisation to put the fundamentals of a Business Continuity Management (BCM)system in place, it protects personnel, preserves reputation and provides the ability to continue to operate and trade.

ISO 22301 is suitable for all organisations, large or small, from any sector. It is especially relevant to organisations which operate in high-risk environments such as finance, telecommunications, transport and the public sector, where the ability to continue operating is vital for both the organisation itself as well as its customers and stakeholders.

• A common framework, based on international good practice, through which to effectively manage business continuity,
• Improvements in the organisation’s resilience when faced with disruptions, 
• A well-practised method of restoring an organisation’s ability to deliver crucial products and/ or services to an agreed level and timeframe following a disruption,
• Protection and enhancement of the organisation’s reputation and brand,
• It provides a competitive advantage by opening new markets and helping an organisation win new business, 
• Potential reduction in costs due to internal and external BCM audits and as well as reduction in business interruption insurance premiums.