Business Continuity Management System ISO 22301:2019
Business continuity is defined as “the organization’s ability to maintain delivery of products and services within acceptable time frames and at predefined capacity levels during a disruption” (3.3 - ISO 22300:2021). ISO 22301:2019 is the international standard for Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS), enabling organizations to ensure the maintenance and recovery of core operations when disruptions occur, from natural disasters to financial crises. To support organizations in building rapid and effective response capabilities, ISO 22301:2019 aids in the development of procedures and action plans to protect critical assets and maintain trust from customers and stakeholders.
ISO 22301 was created in response to the need for business continuity management, helping organizations to continue operations in the face of increasing risks such as natural disasters, financial crises, and security threats. The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) first published ISO 22301 in 2012, focusing on identifying and mitigating risks and supporting contingency planning for emergencies. In 2019, ISO issued the updated version, ISO 22301:2019, to meet the increasingly complex needs of organizations in the rapidly changing technological and business environment. ISO 22301:2019 includes enhancements and simplifications to improve implementation and make the standard more accessible. Additionally, the new standard places greater emphasis on resilience and the confidence of customers and partners in all unexpected situations.
The key requirements of ISO 22301:2019 include:
- Context of the organization: Identifying internal and external factors, stakeholders, and the scope of BCMS to clarify requirements for business continuity management.
- Leadership: Ensuring leadership commitment and support, including establishing policies, resource allocation, and motivating employees in BCMS implementation.
- Planning: Identifying risks and opportunities, setting business continuity objectives, and planning implementation. Planning helps prepare solutions to minimize risks and enhance resilience.
- Support: Managing resources, ensuring staff competency, and maintaining the necessary information and documentation for BCMS to ensure all essential resources are always available in continuous management processes.
- Operation: Executing the established business continuity plans and incident management processes, including emergency response, business continuity, and recovery of operations after disruptions.
- Performance evaluation: Monitoring and assessing BCMS effectiveness through internal audits and leadership reviews to identify areas for improvement and ensure BCMS meets its objectives.
- Improvement: Taking corrective and ongoing improvement actions to ensure system effectiveness and adaptability. This includes measures to resolve incidents, prevent recurrence, and ensure continuous BCMS development.
ISO 22301:2019 provides significant benefits for organizations, such as:
+) from a business perspective:
- supporting its strategic objectives;
- creating a competitive advantage;
- protecting and enhancing its reputation and credibility;
- contributing to organizational resilience;
+) from a financial perspective:
- reducing legal and financial exposure;
- reducing direct and indirect costs of disruptions;
+) from the perspective of interested parties:
- protecting life, property and the environment;
- considering the expectations of interested parties;
- providing confidence in the organization’s ability to succeed;
+) from an internal processes perspective:
- improving its capability to remain effective during disruptions;
- demonstrating proactive control of risks effectively and efficiently;
- addressing operational vulnerabilities.
The implementation and certification of ISO 22301:2019 not only ensure business continuity, stability, and resilience but also strengthen risk management efficiency, create a competitive edge, safeguard assets, employees, and reputation, while meeting stakeholder expectations and optimizing internal processes in a volatile market.
II. GIC CERTIFICATION BENEFITS
- International recognition: GIC is a globally recognized certification body, endorsed by prestigious organizations such as CPSC (USA), UKAS (UK), JAS-ANZ (Australia - New Zealand), SAAS (SAI), VICAS (Vietnam), SAC (Singapore), CNAS (China), and others. GIC certification offers national and international credibility, recognized by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and Asia-Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (APAC), helping businesses expand markets and increase global reputation.
- High-quality certification service with competitive cost: GIC Vietnam provides certification services to strict European and North American standards, ensuring that the business’s products and services meet international requirements. Alongside excellent service quality, GIC offers competitive, reasonable costs, helping businesses optimize expenses while achieving international recognition, facilitating participation in major markets and sustainable development.
For ISO 22301:2019 certification inquiries, please contact:
GIC VIETNAM
12F, 14 Lang Ha Building, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Tel: 024.6275 2268, Fax: 024.6275 2269, Email: tuandm@gicvn.vn
Ho Chi Minh City Office: R502, 160 Nam Ky Khoi Nghia, Tel: 028.39307936
