Business Continuity Plan (BCP)

Mission: To ensure the continued operation of Protos Consulting in the event of a disruptive event, minimizing client impact and preserving critical business functions.

Scope: This BCP covers major incidents affecting Protos Consulting’s operations, including:

• Natural disasters (e.g., floods, earthquakes)
• Power outages
• Cyberattacks
• Data breaches
• Pandemics
• Key personnel loss

Key Objectives:

• Maintain client service continuity (minimum acceptable service level defined)
• Secure and recover critical data
• Ensure employee safety and communication
• Resume normal operations as quickly as possible

BCP Framework:

1. Risk Assessment:
   • Identify potential threats and assess their likelihood and impact.
   • Prioritize threats based on potential disruption and criticality of impacted functions.
2. Business Impact Analysis (BIA):
   • Analyze the impact of disruptions on critical business processes and resources.
   • Define maximum tolerable downtime (MTD) for each process.
3. Development of Recovery Strategies:
   • Formulate strategies for resuming critical processes within MTDs.
   • Consider alternative locations, redundant systems, and disaster recovery services.
4. Implementation and Testing:
   • Develop detailed procedures for responding to different incidents.
   • Regularly test the plan through simulations and exercises.
   • Update the plan based on lessons learned and changes in the environment.

Specific Actions:

Data Security and Backup:

• Implement regular data backups on secure offsite locations.
• Utilize cloud-based storage solutions for redundancy and remote access.
• Conduct periodic data recovery tests to ensure functionality.

Business Continuity Team:

• Establish a dedicated team responsible for BCP implementation and response.
• Assign clear roles and responsibilities for each team member.
• Conduct regular training and communication exercises.

Incident Response:

• Develop a documented incident response plan outlining steps for various scenarios.
• Establish clear communication protocols to inform internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify key contacts and resources for rapid response and recovery.

Alternative Work Arrangements:

• Implement remote work capabilities for employees, including laptops, cloud access, and secure communication tools.
• Develop contingency plans for alternative office locations if primary location is inaccessible.

Communication:

• Establish clear communication channels for internal and external stakeholders.
• Develop communication plans for different incident types and severity levels.
• Regularly update stakeholders on the situation and recovery progress.

Plan Maintenance:

• Review and update the BCP annually or after significant changes to the business.
• Conduct regular testing and training exercises to ensure effectiveness.
• Document lessons learned and incorporate them into future revisions.