August 10, 2020

Business Continuity Planning for a Recurring Pandemic Event

While organizations, regions, and states may begin to re-open as the pandemic slows, there is a very real chance for a re-occurrence that will result in another round of lockdowns and additional economic uncertainty. Organizations should assess their initial responses to the crisis and determine how their existing plans held up to the challenge. Learning from these experiences and refining these plans will allow organizations to respond to the possibility of a recurrent pandemic event more effectively and with less of an impact on their employees and bottom line.

To position an organization to rebound successfully, executives need to be able to quickly deploy continuity strategies to transform their operations, manage a workforce, and satisfy customers and shareholders, while still complying with critical regulatory requirements.

Re-Assessment Considerations

1. 1. 1. 1. Evaluate any changes to critical processes based on a new working environment.
         2. As a result of a downturn in the economy, incorporate and address any newly identified threats to the organizations.
         3. Identify and remediate any failings in existing plans that caused issues.
         4. Reassess the ability for staff to work remotely to allow for greater flexibility in planning.
         5. Identify any shortcuts that were required (e.g., lapses in segregation of duty or questionable cybersecurity practices) and how they can be avoided in the future.
         6. Re-evaluate scenario testing to ensure coverage of more catastrophic changes to work practices.
         7. Develop detailed plans on how to re-enter lockdowns more effectively and efficiently.

As leaders look to rebound from a crisis, updated continuity plans will provide more comfort to employees and internal and external stakeholders about the adaptability of the organization going forward, while also providing a clear and effective plan to manage the potential for further disruptions associated with a return of the pandemic.

Interested in learning more about managing post-pandemic risks and requirements?

Download our guidebook for a roadmap for leaders to decisively deploy actions that correspond to the shape of the future state economy, all while mitigating new and emerging cyber and operational risks.