A BCP or IT DR plan is a set of procedures and actions that an organization takes to ensure the continuity and recovery of its critical business functions and IT systems in the event of a disruption. A BCP or IT DR plan typically covers the following aspects12:
Identification and prioritization of critical business functions and IT systems
Assessment and mitigation of risks and threats to the organization
Allocation and mobilization of resources and personnel
Communication and coordination with internal and external stakeholders
Testing and updating of the plan
Among the four examples of a response to external environmental factors, protocols for social media channels and PR communication are the least likely to be managed directly within the BCP or IT DR plan. This is because social media and PR communication are not critical business functions or IT systems that need to be restored or maintained during a disruption. They are rather supplementary tools that can be used to inform and engage with the public, customers, partners, and media about the organization’s situation and actions3. Therefore, protocols for social media and PR communication are more likely to be part of a crisis communication plan, which is a separate but related document that outlines the strategies and tactics for communicating with various audiences during a crisis.
The other three examples are more likely to be managed directly within the BCP or IT DR plan, as they directly affect the organization’s ability to perform its critical business functions and IT systems. For instance, a response to a natural or man-made disruption would involve activating the BCP or IT DR plan, assessing the impact and extent of the damage, deploying backup and recovery solutions, and restoring normal operations as soon as possible. A response to a dependency on key employee or supplier issues would involve identifying and managing the single points of failure, implementing contingency plans, and ensuring the availability and redundancy of essential skills and resources. A response to a large scale illness or health outbreak would involve implementing health and safety measures, enabling remote work arrangements, and ensuring the resilience and continuity of the workforce. References:
Business continuity vs. disaster recovery: Which plan is right … - IBM
Business Continuity vs Disaster Recovery: What’s The Difference?
Disaster recovery plan vs. business continuity plan: Is there a difference?
[Crisis Communication Plan: A PR Blue Print by Sandra K. Clawson Freeo]
[Disaster Recovery Planning (DRP) | Business Continuity Plan (BCP) | Disaster Recovery Journal]
[Managing Third Party Risk in a Disrupted World]
[Business Continuity Planning for a Pandemic]
