BSI Committee commences work and the Forum launches new Standards discussion group

Today at the Institute of Directors the British Standards Institution team charged with translating the current PAS56 guidance for Business Continuity into a full British Standard met for the first time formally.

The group comprises the Business Continuity Institute and the Continuity Forum, as well as a range of representatives from industry and government.

The work of the this committee will produce the new and clearly defined standard for Business Continuity Management, evolved from PAS56, which will enable a clear and consistent framework of necessary assessments, planning and other activities that will need to be detailed for organisations to demonstrate that they have effective measures in place to help protect the interests of the all of the organisations stakeholders from events.

The creation of a defined BSI standard will remove much of the ambiguity around the scope of Business Continuity planning and what should be covered as a minimum in the planning and management process and provide a clear indication to an organisations partners and stakeholders capability to weather disruption through sensible planning.

One of the biggest issues the BSI team will face is ensuring that the BCM standard is adaptive and sensitive to a broad range of situational needs, while retaining the ability to be applied cost effectively within widely different types of organisations, of all sizes.

The introduction of a formal standard for Business Continuity Management is an important milestone in our sectors evolution and should prove to be a vital driver, improving both the quality of planning and the total numbers of organisations adopting BCM practices within their operations.

The Continuity Forum is pleased to be part of this development and to further support and develop our contribution to the committee we are pleases to announce a dedicated discussion group with our Forum area, open to all, to stimulate open debate on issues and the exchange of information related to the Standard and its ongoing development. We welcome contributions from all sources. 

Do get involved and contribute to one of the most important aspects ever affecting our industry.