BCP (Business Continuity Plan)
A BCP is a documented plan that ensures critical business operations continue during and after disruptive incidents.
What is a BCP?
A Business Continuity Plan (BCP) is a structured and documented strategy that defines how an organization will maintain or quickly resume critical business functions during disruptive events such as cyberattacks, system outages, natural disasters, or human error.
The BCP focuses on operational continuity, not just IT recovery.
Why BCP matters
BCP is essential because it:
- Minimizes business downtime and financial loss
- Protects critical services and customers
- Improves organizational resilience
- Clarifies roles and decision-making under stress
- Supports regulatory and contractual requirements
- Preserves reputation and trust
Without a BCP, incidents can escalate into existential risks.
BCP vs DRP
BCP and DRP are related but distinct:
| Plan | Scope |
|---|---|
| BCP | Business processes and operations |
| DRP (Disaster Recovery Plan) | IT systems and infrastructure |
BCP defines what must continue; DRP defines how IT is restored.
Key components of a BCP
A comprehensive BCP typically includes:
- Business Impact Analysis (BIA)
- Identification of critical processes
- Maximum tolerable downtime (MTD)
- Recovery Time Objectives (RTO)
- Recovery Point Objectives (RPO)
- Roles and responsibilities
- Communication and escalation plans
- Alternative workflows and locations
- Testing and maintenance procedures
BCP is both a document and an ongoing program.
Business Impact Analysis (BIA)
The BIA identifies:
- Critical business functions
- Dependencies (people, IT, suppliers)
- Financial and operational impacts of downtime
- Priorities for recovery
The BIA drives all BCP decisions.
BCP in IT and cybersecurity
In IT contexts, BCP addresses:
- Availability of critical applications
- Access to systems and data
- Manual workarounds when systems are down
- Coordination with IT disaster recovery
- Response to cyber incidents (ransomware, outages)
BCP complements technical security controls.
BCP and cloud environments
In cloud and hybrid setups, BCP includes:
- Multi-region or multi-zone strategies
- SaaS availability dependencies
- Identity and access continuity
- Provider outage scenarios
- Third-party and supply chain risks
Cloud reduces some risks but introduces others.
Testing and maintenance
A BCP must be:
- Tested regularly (tabletop, simulations)
- Updated after organizational changes
- Reviewed following incidents
- Known and accessible to stakeholders
An untested BCP is ineffective.
Common misconceptions
- "BCP is only an IT document"
- "BCP is only for large enterprises"
- "Backups alone equal continuity"
- "BCP is a one-time project"