Business continuity

What is business continuity management (BCM)?

BCM is about identifying those parts of your business that you cannot afford to lose, for example staff, stock, information, premises, and then planning how to maintain these if an incident occurs.

Any incident, large or small, whether it is natural, accidental or deliberate, can cause major disruption to your organisation. If you plan now, rather than waiting for it to happen, you will be able to get back to business as usual in the quickest possible time.

Advantages

Advanced planning helps your business to:

• reduce the potential for financial loss
• maintain a good reputation
• improve staff confidence
• avoid negative publicity

Resources

BCM plan template

Download the BCM plan template to help you formulate a robust contingency plan.

Business continuity plan template [22.87KB]

Cyber security

• GOV.UK: Cyber security: advice for small businesses
• GOV.UK: Cyber security skills: a guide for business

Flooding

Environment Agency: A guide to preparing your business for flooding [1.17MB]
Flooding evacuation guidance for owners and operators of caravan park and campsites [322.47KB]

General guidance

• GOV.UK: Expecting the unexpected: Business continuity in an uncertain world
• GOV.UK: Business continuity management toolkit
• GOV.UK: Resilience in society: infrastructure, communities and businesses

Risk management

• GOV.UK: Counting the cost: Managing risk, insurance and terrorism