Continuity planning
Operations must be able to continue functioning even during disruptions. Continuity planning means being prepared and knowing how activities are to be maintained.
Continuity planning is about ensuring that operations can continue to function during disruptions.
The continuity plan is used in the event of disruptions to operations. It provides guidance on how work can continue during interruptions and how operations can return to normal.
As a manager, you need to plan for:
- what is most critical to maintain
- how work can continue during interruptions
- how operations can return to normal
This work reduces vulnerability and makes it easier to manage disruptions.
Continuity planning and crisis planning complement each other.
Responsibility for continuity planning
Each department, division and unit must plan for how operations can be maintained during disruptions.
As a manager, you need to
- identify critical parts of the operations
- ensure that there is a plan for interruptions
- plan for a return to normal operations.
Develop a continuity plan
The continuity plan should provide guidance on how operations can continue to function during disruptions.
Use the continuity plan
The continuity plan is used when operations are affected by disruptions.
- Prioritise the most critical work
- Ensure that operations can continue
- Adapt ways of working and resources
The plan can be used independently or together with the crisis plan.
Examples of disruptions
The continuity plan can be used, for example, in the event of
- IT system outages
- disruptions to premises or infrastructure
- staff shortages
- supply issues or external dependencies.
Support
The Security Function can provide support in continuity planning.
You can receive assistance with
- methodological support
- development of a plan
- training and exercises.