ISO 22301:2019 – Ensuring Business Continuity and Resilience

Business Continuity Management System (BCMS)

Continuity isn’t a contingency—it’s a capability.

ISO 22301:2019 is the international standard for a Business Continuity Management System (BCMS). It provides a structured, proactive framework that helps organizations prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptions that could impact operations, services, or reputation.

From natural disasters to cyber incidents, this standard ensures business continuity is not reactive—but embedded into daily management.

Download ISO/IEC 22301/2019 Course Prospectus 

Clause 4: 
Context of the Organization

Understand internal and external factors that could affect continuity, and identify relevant stakeholders and their expectations

Clause 5: 
Leadership

Understand internal and external factors that could affect continuity, and identify relevant stakeholders and their expectations

Clause 6: 
Planning

Define objectives, assess risks, identify legal and regulatory obligations, and integrate continuity into business risk planning

Clause 7: 
Support

Provide people, infrastructure, knowledge, communication, and documentation to support the BCMS

Clause 8: 
Operation

Conduct Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and Risk Assessment, define continuity strategies, implement response procedures, and ensure crisis readiness

Clause 9: 
Performance Evaluation

Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the BCMS through audits, reviews, and testing

Clause 10: 
Improvement

Learn from incidents, audits, and exercises to drive continuous improvement of the BCMS

🧱 
A Structure That Aligns with Business Priorities

  • ISO 22301:2019 follows the Annex SL structure, ensuring easy integration with ISO 9001, ISO 27001, and other ISO management system standards. Clauses 4 through 10 guide how to establish and manage a resilient BCMS:

What’s New in the 2019 Revision?

ISO/IEC 14001:2015 plays a direct role in the Environmental pillar of ESG frameworks. It helps organizations:

  • ✨ Simplified structure and clearer terminology
  • 🧭 Greater focus on leadership and strategic integration
  • 🔄 Enhanced alignment with other ISO standards
  • 📊 Stronger emphasis on measurable performance and continual improvement

🔗 A Strategic Tool for Governance and ESG

SO 22301:2019 supports the Governance pillar of ESG by enabling organizations to:

  • Demonstrate readiness to regulators, customers, and investors
  • Fulfill continuity obligations with structured and auditable processes
  • Align risk-based planning with business objectives
  • Build stakeholder trust through visible crisis preparedness
Going Forward

Course Applicablity

🏢 For Organizations

ISO/IEC 22301:2019 helps organizations:

  • Reduce downtime and operational disruption
  • Deliver critical services during unexpected events
  • Meet legal, contractual, and regulatory continuity requirements
  • Protect reputation, revenue, and long-term business value
  • Integrate leadership, risk, and operational strategy under one system

👩‍💼 For Professionals

If you’re working in or aiming toward:

  • Business continuity or crisis planning
  • Risk, governance, or compliance management
  • Operations, IT, or facilities management
  • ESG, sustainability, or resilience leadership
  • …this standard helps you: 
  • Lead BCMS design, implementation, and audits
  • Develop measurable, testable continuity plans
  • Gain international recognition in continuity and resilience
  • Advance in roles tied to strategic preparedness and recovery