Business Continuity Planning Checklist - Public
1. Risk Assessment:
- Identify potential risks and threats to your business, including natural disasters, cyberattacks, supply chain disruptions, and other emergencies.
2. Business Impact Analysis (BIA):
- Assess the potential impact of identified risks on your business operations, revenue, and reputation.
3. Critical Business Functions:
- Determine which business functions are critical for your operations and prioritize them.
4. Business Continuity Team:
- Establish a dedicated business continuity team responsible for developing and implementing the plan.
5. Emergency Response Plan:
- Create an emergency response plan outlining immediate actions to take during a crisis.
6. Communication Plan:
- Develop a communication plan that includes contact information for employees, stakeholders, suppliers, and customers.
7. Employee Safety:
- Ensure employee safety is a top priority, and establish protocols for evacuation, sheltering, and emergency response.
8. Data Backup and Recovery:
- Implement regular data backup procedures and ensure data recovery capabilities.
9. IT and Technology Continuity:
- Develop an IT continuity plan to ensure the availability of critical systems and data.
10. Supply Chain Management:
- Identify and assess vulnerabilities in your supply chain and establish alternative suppliers if necessary.
11. Remote Work and Telecommuting:
- Establish remote work policies and technology infrastructure to support remote work during disruptions.
12. Employee Training:
- Train employees on emergency procedures and their roles during a crisis.
13. Testing and Exercises:
- Conduct regular drills and exercises to test the effectiveness of your business continuity plan.
14. Vendor and Partner Communication:
- Establish communication protocols with vendors, partners, and stakeholders to coordinate responses.
15. Financial Planning:
- Ensure you have financial resources or insurance coverage to manage unexpected expenses.
16. Crisis Management Team:
- Appoint a crisis management team responsible for decision-making during a crisis.
17. Public Relations and Reputation Management:
- Prepare a public relations strategy to manage the public perception of your business during a crisis.
18. Regulatory Compliance:
- Ensure that your business continuity plan complies with relevant industry regulations.
19. Documentation and Records:
- Maintain thorough documentation of your business continuity plan and any changes or updates.
20. Review and Update:
- Regularly review and update your business continuity plan to adapt to changing risks and circumstances.
21. Employee Contact Information:
- Maintain up-to-date contact information for all employees and stakeholders.
22. Notification Systems:
- Implement notification systems to quickly reach employees and stakeholders in case of an emergency.
23. Alternate Facilities:
- Identify alternate facilities or locations where you can operate if your primary location is unavailable.
24. After-Action Review:
- Conduct a post-crisis review to assess the effectiveness of your response and identify areas for improvement.
25. Public Information:
- Develop a plan for sharing information with the public and media during a crisis.