Operational continuity: Importance and definition

The operational continuity it is generally approached from the 100% operational perspective of the systems, in the event of eventualities. However, the risks that can affect the physical, internal and external resources that mediate business processes must be taken into consideration.

The success of a company is based on the ability to satisfy and adequately meet the requirements of its customers or users, therefore it is unavoidable to ensure operation so that system failures do not affect the availability and operability of the company.

What is operational continuity?

It is a logistics plan, for the recovery and restoration of partially or totally interrupted functions in a predetermined time after some unwanted interruption or disaster.

Technically it is a detailed manual of detailed and specific actions that are used to deal with problems (power outage, suspension of water service, transportation problems, strikes) or catastrophes (fires, floods, earthquakes) that prevent the I work continuously from the facilities or also in the event that the facilities represent a risk to the equipment of job.

This plan ensures that the service is 100% operational on a continuous basis regardless of what happens.

In other words, operational continuity is the way in which a company prepares to face future incidents that could put it in danger, including its mission.

At the beginning, planning and prevention actions were directed to IT operations, however, over time and due to changes in the computing, computing supported by telematic means developed in the different areas of the company, the activity has varied its scope and knowing What business continuity planning.

Importance of the business continuity plan

The continuity of operations has been exposed as a priority activity in companies, through this type of strategies, manage to identify certain latent risks and their potential impact on the physical and economic well-being of the organization.

By ignoring latent threats, an organization jeopardizes its cost effectiveness, its finances and the interests of the shareholders, since when productive activities are forcibly losses that directly impact sales, profits and also puts the stability of human resources at risk.

In addition, it takes on greater value since it conceives a dynamic reference, with the necessary response capacity in any disaster situation. Therefore, it is important to consider that a strategy that protects the processes that generate profits for the company should be a priority among other aspects or strategies to consider.

Purposes of implementing a Continuity of Operations plan

Business continuity as a process has various purposes that also add value to the company. Some of them are:

• Expand profits through the flexibility with which the company can respond to various claims.
• Minimize or eliminate the costs generated by not having an action plan in emergency situations.
• Identify the different financial priorities, in order to invest work and production efforts required by the different areas of the company.
• Comply with regulations and mandatory laws, regarding data protection and risk management.

Why should you have an operational continuity plan?

• Every company must be prepared to face external problems and contingencies.
• Every company should be able to solve any crisis or interruption of its processes.
• No company should be left behind in acquiring technology and action plans under specific situations.
• The highest percentage of investment in a continuity plan will have a direct impact on the human assets of the company.
• All actions that pursue business continuity seek to minimize obstacles to productivity.
• It is a good technique to save on business insurance.
• It optimizes the performance of the different team members, helps to optimize human resources so that the functions and tasks of each team can be properly determined.
• Reduce costs in aspects that only generate expenses, managing to invest more in those resources that are worthwhile.
• Avoid costs incurred in the resumption of processes, as part of disaster recovery. Process that is generally extremely expensive for any company, taking into account the type of disaster and the level of damage achieved.
• Mitigates risks to any disaster, since all companies are susceptible to various events or disasters, which have a direct impact on the processes.
• Minimizes the impact and damage on systems and processes, achieving the functionality of critical operating processes.
• It offers a solution to operational problems, both in times of eventualities that is when most Courage is given to them, as in simple moments where they can help keep little ones safe incidents.