Business Continuity Planning, Collaboration, and Training Help

¶ … Business Continuity Planning, Collaboration, and Training Help Private Agencies Prepare for Events Affecting Critical Infrastructure

A business continuity plan is a response plan that sets out how an organization or institution will continue operations after a disruption. Business continuity planning, therefore, is the process of identifying both the external and internal threats that may affect these organizations and institutions, and setting out a detailed plan of how they will operate following the unexpected events, as well as how they expect to resume business in the shortest time possible. According to Fulmer (2005), 93% of organizations that experience a disaster without a business continuity plan fail within five years, while 50% of those that lose critical business functions for over ten days after various forms of disasters fail to recover. Thus, it is imperative that both public and private agencies prepare adequately for events that may affect critical infrastructure, which are the assets that are the backbone of the American society and economy.

Business continuity planning assists in critical infrastructure protection in various ways. First, it helps in the identification of contingency plans to ensure that facilities for critical functions such as electricity generation, public health, telecommunication, public health, transport, continue to operate in the event of disasters. Planning also allows for remote operation and the securing of critical infrastructure locations. Fulmer (2005) further explains that business continuity planning eases decision making during disruptions, minimizes cost, reduces downtime and minimizes immediate damage and disruption.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2013) explains that America's well being relies upon resilient and secure critical infrastructure, which can only be achieved through the joint efforts of partners. This implies that voluntary collaboration between private agencies, public agencies and the community can improve critical infrastructure protection by advancing collective action. The three partners will be able to identify priorities collectively, set clear goals, reduce risk, and track the progress of the infrastructure protection. Moreover, feedback from the community and the private and public agencies will ensure that planning is more effective and that it adapts to changes in the environment. DHS (2013) further explains that collaborations will facilitate efficient sharing of relevant and actionable information between the three partners, which enables risk-informed decision making and builds situational awareness.

The key components that are necessary for joint agency training and joint agency preparation are information sharing, proper funding, risk management and resilience. DHS (2013) explains that data and information that is essential to maintaining and operating critical infrastructure facilitates more efficient and effective practice. Moreover, information sharing will lead to collaborative problem solving and better decision making. Both private and public agencies also require adequate funds in order to play their part in critical infrastructure protection. According to the National Academy of sciences, continuity efforts are often frustrated because the operation of critical infrastructure systems is not matched with the funds necessary to maintain them and at the same time meet the demands of the growing population (DHS, 2013). When information is shared and funding is provided, better risk management practices will be used, where risks will be identified, analyzed, communicated and controlled at acceptable levels and costs. This will enhance resilience, the ability to adapt to changing conditions and to prepare for future disruptions.

Individuals and communities can contribute to homeland security and the critical infrastructure problem. For instance, they can help in identifying threats and hazards that pose the greatest risks (DHS, 2013). They can also engage in dialogue to contribute to preparedness and resilience plans and to offer solutions on hoe critical infrastructure vulnerabilities can be mitigated.