How to Be Business Continuity Planner - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Apr 10, 2021 / 6 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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When businesses are faced with a disruption such as a natural disaster or other type of crisis, having a comprehensive business continuity plan in place can be the difference between staying afloat and going under. A Business Continuity Planner is essential to make sure that the necessary steps are taken to protect the interests of the organization. This includes assessing potential risks, developing strategies to mitigate those risks, and outlining plans to respond to any interruptions in operations.

the planner will help to ensure that the organization has the necessary resources, such as staff, equipment, and supplies, to maintain normal operations and recover from any losses incurred. By taking these proactive steps, a business can protect itself from the financial and operational damage that can occur during a crisis.

Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. To become a business continuity planner, you should pursue a degree in business, finance, economics, or another related field. A strong background in business will be necessary for success in this field.
Gather Work Experience. It's important to gain experience in the field of business continuity planning. Consider interning for a company that specializes in business continuity planning and disaster recovery. This can help you gain valuable knowledge and skills that will be helpful when pursuing a career in this field.
Become Certified. Many employers prefer to hire business continuity planners who are certified in the field. There are several certifications available from various organizations, including the Disaster Recovery Institute International and the Business Continuity Institute.
Network. As with any career, networking is an important part of becoming a successful business continuity planner. Consider joining professional organizations such as the Association of Business Continuity Professionals or the International Association of Emergency Managers.
Stay Up-to-Date on Trends. Business continuity planning is an ever-evolving field, so it's important to stay up-to-date on new trends and technologies. Consider taking courses or attending seminars to keep your skills sharp.

Creating a reliable and efficient business continuity plan is essential for any organization, as it can help mitigate the negative effects of unexpected disruptions. Having a plan in place can help reduce the amount of downtime, allowing the organization to quickly return to normal operations and minimize potential losses. It also helps ensure that critical operations and services remain available, while helping to protect company assets, data, personnel, and customers.

To ensure a reliable and efficient business continuity plan, organizations should take steps such as conducting a risk assessment, setting up a crisis management team, creating a business continuity strategy, and creating an emergency response plan. By taking these steps, organizations can be better prepared to face unexpected disruptions and ensure that their operations are not significantly impacted.

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Job Description

Business Continuity Analyst: Responsible for identifying and assessing risks, developing business continuity plans and strategies, and implementing the plans.
Business Continuity Planner: Responsible for creating, maintaining, and testing Business Continuity Plans (BCP).
Disaster Recovery Specialist: Responsible for developing and implementing disaster recovery plans and strategies.
Risk Management Specialist: Responsible for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks.
Crisis Management Coordinator: Responsible for responding to emergencies, managing crisis communications, and coordinating resources to minimize disruption to operations.
Data Backup Administrator: Responsible for creating, maintaining, and testing data backup systems to ensure continuity of operations.
Business Impact Analysis Manager: Responsible for conducting business impact analyses to identify the effects of disruptions on operations.
Business Resiliency Specialist: Responsible for developing and implementing plans that increase organizational resilience and prepare for unexpected events.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Strategic planning and policy development
Risk assessment and management
Business process analysis
Project management
Financial management
Organizational change and development
IT systems knowledge
Knowledge of business continuity planning standards
Emergency management and response planning
Vendor management and contract negotiation
Data analysis and reporting
Communication and presentation skills
Problem-solving and critical thinking
Leadership and team building
Negotiation and conflict resolution

Having a strong understanding of the principles of business continuity planning is essential for any organization. This includes being able to assess the risk associated with events that could disrupt business operations, develop strategies for responding to such events, and create plans for maintaining critical operations during and after any disruption. the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with other stakeholders is critical for developing and maintaining the continuity plan.

This includes having the ability to identify potential threats, understand how they could affect the business, and develop a plan that ensures the organization can continue to operate in the event of any disruption. Furthermore, a business continuity planner must have strong problem-solving skills to be able to quickly and effectively address any challenges that arise during or after the event. Finally, having strong organizational and time management skills is key for ensuring that the continuity plan is updated and maintained properly in order to provide the greatest protection to the organization.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have in developing, managing and executing business continuity plans?
What challenges have you faced when implementing business continuity plans?
How would you assess the effectiveness of a business continuity plan?
What strategies have you employed to ensure a successful business continuity plan?
Describe the process you use to identify and mitigate risks.
What criteria do you use to evaluate the adequacy of disaster recovery plans?
What measures do you take to ensure that all necessary stakeholders are included in the business continuity planning process?
What strategies have you used to keep stakeholders informed about business continuity plan changes?
How do you ensure that business continuity plans are regularly tested and updated?
What systems do you use to track progress and incidents related to the business continuity plan?

Common Tools in Industry

Business Impact Analysis (BIA). A systematic process for identifying the potential impacts of disruptions on an organizations operations, such as financial losses, customer service disruption, and safety hazards. (e. g. Checklist for assessing critical business operations)
Risk Assessment. An evaluation of risk factors that could lead to an interruption in business operations. (e. g. Business Risk Questionnaire)
Business Continuity Plan. A plan outlining the steps to be taken in order to maintain or restore operations in the event of a disaster or disruption. (e. g. Business Continuity Plan Template)
Incident Management Plan. A plan that outlines the steps to be taken in the event of an incident, such as a natural disaster, security breach, or other disruption. (e. g. Incident Management Plan Worksheet)
Crisis Management Plan. A plan outlining the steps to be taken in order to mitigate the effects of a crisis and protect the organizations reputation and assets. (e. g. Crisis Management Plan Template)
Disaster Recovery Plan. A plan outlining the steps to be taken to restore operations after a disaster or disruption. (e. g. Disaster Recovery Plan Template)
Business Resiliency Plan. A plan designed to help organizations minimize the impacts of disruptions and increase their ability to quickly recover from those disruptions. (e. g. Business Resiliency Plan Template)

Professional Organizations to Know

Business Continuity Institute (BCI)
Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII)
Association of Continuity Professionals (ACP)
Business Resilience Group (BRG)
Disaster Recovery Journal (DRJ)
International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM)
National Organization for Continuity Professionals (NOCP)
International Disaster and Risk Conference (IDRC)
Resilient Organizations Network (RON)
Business Continuity Management Information Exchange (BCMIX)

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Common Important Terms

Risk Assessment. A process of analyzing potential risks to an organization and developing strategies to manage them.
Disaster Recovery Plan. A plan that outlines how an organization will respond to a disaster, such as a natural disaster, cyber attack, or other event.
Business Impact Analysis. A study that identifies how a business would be affected by certain potential events.
Contingency Planning. The process of preparing for unexpected events and establishing plans for how to respond if they occur.
Business Continuity Management. The process of developing and implementing strategies to ensure the continued operation of an organization in the event of a disruption.
Data Backup & Recovery. A system that allows for the storage and retrieval of data in the event of a disaster or system failure.
Incident Response Plan. A plan that outlines how an organization will respond to a security incident, such as a data breach or system outage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Business Continuity Plan?

A business continuity plan (BCP) is a document that outlines how a business will continue operations during and after a disaster or emergency. It includes strategies for maintaining or quickly restoring essential functions, processes, and services.

What entities should be included in a Business Continuity Plan?

A Business Continuity Plan should include all key personnel and stakeholders, as well as any vendors, suppliers, and partners that are involved in the operations of the business.

How often should a Business Continuity Plan be updated?

A Business Continuity Plan should be reviewed and updated at least once a year.

What are the key components of a Business Continuity Plan?

The key components of a Business Continuity Plan include risk assessment, emergency response procedures, damage control strategies, and recovery protocols.

What is the purpose of a Business Continuity Plan?

The purpose of a Business Continuity Plan is to help ensure the continuity of operations in the event of an emergency or disaster. The plan outlines protocols for preventing, responding to, and recovering from disruptions to operations.

Web Resources

Business Continuity Plan - University of Georgia Office of ... - UGA prepare.uga.edu
Business Continuity Planning | Emergency Management emergency.yale.edu
Example Career: Business Continuity Planners - West Virginia www.wvu.edu