Business standards company BSI has published a new guidance standard to help organisations take practical steps towards mitigating risk and improving their business continuity management.

ISO 22313 Societal Security – Business Continuity Management Systems – Guidance describes the steps businesses need to take in order to meet the requirements of ISO 22301, the international standard for business continuity management.

Together, these standards seek to support organisations in their on-going challenge to improve business resilience in the face of unforeseen circumstances such as natural catastrophe or civil unrest.

A recent survey by the Business Continuity Institute revealed that 73% of organisations recorded at least one supply chain disruption in 2011.

Many organisations continue to be under constant pressure to manage disruptions to normal operations and supply chain arrangements as a result of economic instability, environmental incidences and other unexpected risks. These standards provide organisations with a framework and methodology for dealing with disruptions.

ISO 22313 is a complementary standard to ISO 22301. It provides additional information to ISO 22301 and examples to help the reader better understand what good BCM looks like and how it might be implemented in their organisations.

“The publication of ISO 22313 represents BSI’s latest step towards helping organisations take proactive control of their futures,” said Shirley Bailey-Wood, Director of Publishing at BSI. “The standard brings together knowledge and experience from industry professionals, recognising that complacency in business processes is no longer an option.”

Rick Cudworth, partner at Deloitte and also chairman of BSI’s Committee BCM/1 said: “ISO 22313 and 22301 will be of tremendous value to those organisations that are considering BCM anew as well as those that already have continuity arrangements in place. These standards provide clear, jargon-free material for all organisations that want to establish or improve their resilience.”

International commitment and interest for the supporting guidance standard is reflected in the 50 participating countries which have supported its publication.

UK expertise and input have been received from a variety of parties including:

• Association of British Certification Bodies
• Metropolitan Police
• Business Continuity Institute
• Securities Industry Business Continuity Management Group
• United Kingdom Accreditation Services
• British Damage Management Association
• Emergency Planning Society
• Welsh Government
• Civil Aviation Authority
• City of Edinburgh Council
• Independent International Organisation for Certification
• Corporation of London
• Shetland Island Council
• Intellect
• Continuity Forum
• Federation of Small Businesses
• Surrey County Council
• Essex County Council
• Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors
• Coventry University
• University of Central Lancashire

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