What does an organization need to ensure both complete operations recovery and continued operations?

To ensure both complete operations recovery and continued operations, a business continuity plan is essential. This plan encompasses strategies and procedures that an organization puts in place to ensure that critical business functions continue during and after a significant disruption, such as a natural disaster or a cyber-attack.

A business continuity plan does not only focus on restoring operations after a disaster occurs, which is a key aspect of disaster recovery; instead, it emphasizes the ongoing capability of the organization to function despite adverse circumstances. It prepares the organization to handle disruptions proactively by identifying risks, impacts, and necessary responses, thereby sustaining operations and minimizing downtime.

Moreover, while a disaster recovery plan is important for recovering specific technical elements and systems post-incident, it does not cover the broader scope required for continued business operations across all levels of the organization. Similarly, a business impact analysis plays a critical role by assessing risks and the potential impact of disruptions on operations, but it is a component of a business continuity plan rather than a standalone solution. An incident response plan focuses on immediate actions following specific security incidents but does not encompass the broader strategic planning necessary for comprehensive operations recovery. Thus, a business continuity plan is the most comprehensive and holistic approach that covers both recovery and ongoing operations.