21st Century Business Continuity & Resiliency Management

This course is fully accredited by National Institute for Business Continuity Management (www.NIBCM.net).

Completion of this in-person course qualifies participants to write the certification exam to obtain the professional designation of Business Continuity Management Planner (BCMP). The NIBCM waives the 2 years' BCM experience requirement for individuals taking this course.

IBCT has enjoyed virtually 100% success preparing course participants for the BCMP exam. In the unlikely event that you do not succeed in your first attempt at the exam, IBCT will pay the $ 500 fee for any subsequent attempts.

The course fee includes online BCMP exam prep AND the BCMP exam

This course is designed for new or experienced individuals in business continuity management, consultants and auditors wishing to learn about BCM, executives, managers, business continuity planners, engineers, IT staff, and business unit managers who are involved in developing or managing business continuity planning functions.

It is also highly useful for records managers, administrative heads and others responsible for the effective administration of any size of organization. This course provides an intensive, hands-on workshop covering all major aspects of the Business Continuity Management systems lifecycle for corporations and government organizations.

A typical course participant has less than two years of experience in business continuity planning! They have been ‘volun-told’ into this new role and need to know how to successfully carry out these new duties.

This course is suitable for—and has been used effectively by—every type of organization in the private and non-profit sector and government, from multi-national firms to single proprietorships, and every size between. The techniques and tools we provide are applicable to banking, insurance, manufacturing, health care, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, federal, state and local government organizations, in addition to international corporations and non-profit agencies.

In addition, participants leave this course with our Certificate in Business Continuity and Resiliency Management.

Course Giveaways:

“How to do” plus “What to do”

Learn how to initiate and manage a comprehensive BCM program—from start to finish! In addition to "best principles", you also learn "best practices" - the practical "how to" develop and maintain an effective Business Continuity Management System. We teach you “what” you need to know plus “how” to do it.

The course covers:
- tools and techniques for conducting risk assessments and business impact analysis
- practical methodologies to design and manage effective continuity plans
- case studies to examine real life situations and their solutions
- guided study and group exercises to apply the lessons learned
- methodologies for creating a BC plan to support your business in the face of any critical incident.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, participants should:

• have a solid understanding of the Business Continuity Management lifecycle

• have the tools and knowledge required to conduct a Business Impact Analysis and Risk Assessment for their organization

• be able to guide their business unit personnel through the development of practical and effective business recovery plans

• be able to create an effective Incident Management structure within their organization, including Emergency Response and Crisis Management

• know how to keep their plans current and viable

• know how to plan and coordinate effective tests and exercises

• understand the role of CyberSecurity protocols and incident response

• successfully sit the certification exam for the Business Continuity Management Planner (BCMP) designation

Topics covered include:

 1. Business Continuity Lifecycle Management:

• Evolution of BC Planning and Standards in USA and elsewhere

• Overview of ISO 22301: Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle 

• Setting corporate policies, objectives and budgets

• Assigning accountability for the Business Continuity program

• Establishing the Business Continuity teams

3. Crisis Communications

• Communicating proactively with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders

• Addressing the needs and concerns of employees and their families

• Guidelines for Effective Media Relations—broadcast interviews, print media, news conferences, social media

4. Awareness and Training

• Defining your Awareness and Training Requirements

• Implementing the Program

• Managing the Ongoing Program

5. Business Impact Analysis and Risk Assessment - What threatens your organization?

• Understanding the need for a Business Continuity program

• Defining your organization's Business Continuity requirements

o Conducting a Business Impact Analysis

o Conducting a Business Unit Risk Assessment

6. Identifying and selecting Business Continuity strategies for:

• Mitigating risk

• Reducing impact

• Recovering technologies

• Resuming business operations

• Initial response and assessment

• Interim contingencies

• Resource provisioning

• Business recovery

• Return to normal

8. Developing a Crisis Management Plan:

• Creating a Crisis Management Team

• Establishing on-site and off-site Command Centers

• Escalating emergencies and activating Business Continuity teams and plans

• Crisis management checklists to help the CMT with ‘crisis project management’

• Decision-making authority

• Coordination with public authorities

• Human resources issues

• Financial control issues

• Legal, contractual and regulatory issues

10. Review of Techniques for Training and Exercising Business Continuity Teams:

• Table Top Exercises

• Simulation Exercises

• Drills

• Operational Exercises

• Mock Disasters

11. Setting Test and Exercise Objectives:

• Planning and Preparation

• Measuring Success and Performance

• Critical Success Factors

12. Review of Techniques for Validating and Maintaining Business Continuity Plans:

• Desk Checks; Peer Reviews

• Structured Walkthroughs

• Standalone Tests; Integrated Tests

• Operational Tests

13. Plan Maintenance:

• Establishing a repository for all plan documentation and procedures

• Implementing a Change Control system

• Administering the maintenance process

• Developing and ensuring compliance with corporate policies and standards

14. Plan Evaluation:

• Identifying significant changes to business units and key operating processes

• Reviewing current strategies for reducing risk, reducing impact, recovering computer systems, resuming business operations, BCMS Metrics

• Reviewing and updating Business Continuity requirements

• Auditing the Business Continuity program

• Management reporting

Typical Agenda for a 3-day Course:

Day 1

Introduction to Business Continuity Management

PLAN - Establish business continuity policy, objectives, processes and procedures

Day 2 

DO - Implement and operate the business continuity policy, controls, processes and procedures

DO (cont’d)

CHECK

• Monitor and review performance against business continuity policy and objectives, BCMS Metrics

ACT

• Maintain and improve the BCMS by taking corrective action

Additional Special Sessions (time permitting)