What is ISO 22301 – Business Continuity Management Systems?
ISO 22301 specifies the structure and requirements for implementing and maintaining a Business Continuity Management System (BCMS). It helps organizations develop continuity strategies that align with the level and type of impact they are willing—or unwilling—to accept following a disruption.
The outcomes of maintaining a BCMS are influenced by the organization’s legal, regulatory, organizational, and industry requirements; the products and services it provides; the processes it uses; its size and structure; and the needs of its interested parties.
A BCMS emphasizes the importance of:
- Understanding the organization's needs and the necessity of establishing business continuity policies and objectives
- Operating and maintaining processes, capabilities, and response structures to ensure the organization can survive disruptions
- Monitoring and reviewing the performance and effectiveness of the BCMS
- Driving continual improvement based on both qualitative and quantitative measures
To Whom Does ISO 22301 Apply?
This standard specifies requirements for implementing, maintaining, and improving a management system that protects against, reduces the likelihood of, prepares for, responds to, and recovers from disruptions.
The requirements in this document are generic and intended to apply to all organizations—or parts of organizations—regardless of their type, size, or nature. The extent to which they are applied will depend on the organization’s environment and complexity.
This standard applies to organizations that:
- Implement, maintain, and improve a BCMS
- Seek to ensure compliance with a stated business continuity policy
- Need to continue delivering products and services at an acceptable, predefined capacity during disruptions
- Aim to enhance resilience through the effective application of a BCMS
How Do I Get Started?
- Understand your organization’s key objectives – This will help you clarify the goals and requirements of your business continuity management system.
- Assess your current governance structure – Ensure the right roles, responsibilities, and reporting procedures are in place to support risk and continuity management.
- Define your level of commitment – Determine what resources you can allocate for implementing and maintaining a BCMS.
