Why Technology Services begins with a Business Impact Analysis (BIA)

As the name signifies, a BIA quantifies the impact of a cyber disruption on your business. It doesn’t matter if the disruption happens because of an internet outage or a severe breach – a BIA covers it all. A business impact analysis lays the foundation for a strong business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) strategy as well as a data security and compliance program within your technology services package.

  • BCDR within Technology Services

Once a BIA identifies business-critical functions, protecting them with industry-best solutions and strategies ensures quick recovery and business continuity.

  • Compliance Program within Technology Services

A BIA helps find gaps in your current compliance agreements and ensures compliance with cyber liability insurance policies and other relevant policies.

  • Data Security within Technology Services

One of the most important aspects of a BIA is tracking the flow of sensitive data, both at rest and in transit. Providing the necessary security is then easy.

All of the above are equally important within your technology services package as proactive and reactive tools to protect data, uptime, revenue and reputation. It’s crucial to remember that BIA isn’t a one-and-done process. You must conduct regular BIAs and apply the results within your business to stay ahead of the curve.

Something we often see many businesses do is confuse a BIA with a risk assessment. While a risk assessment lets you know your business’ risks, a BIA helps you deduce how quickly things must get back on track after an incident.

BIA: Best Practices

While adopting regular BIA, consider the following best practices:

1. Executive sponsorship and commitment within Technology Services.

If a BIA framework has sponsorship, there’s an endorsement from a top-level executive who will oversee and help it progress.

In the absence of executive sponsorship, your company could conduct a BIA, run regular risk assessments and look excellent on paper, but end up letting severe vulnerabilities seep in through the cracks unchecked.

2. Consult with experts to establish recovery timeframes within Technology Services.

Recovery timeframes, such as RPO, MAD and more, must be accurately defined for a BIA. There’s no room for error, so it’s advisable that you as well as your IT team seek expert help.

3. Use objective criteria to identify critical functions within Technology Services.

Always use objective criteria to identify crucial processes, systems and functions. If you rely on the opinions of managers, every one of them will say their own undertaking is critical.

4. Integrate BIA results with training programs within Technology Services.

Make sure you communicate insights from a BIA through regular training sessions. For example, once you identify business-critical functions, create a training session emphasizing what your employees can and cannot do to ensure functional safety.

Partner for Success

Regardless of your industry and business size, it’s your responsibility to regularly conduct a BIA within your technology services program. Remember that an effective BIA acts as a foundation of resiliency and business continuity. If the idea of being responsible for your business’s BIA is intimidating, don’t worry. With our team in your corner, you don’t have to go through the process alone.

Our expertise in handling BIA is at your service when you need it most. You can easily hand over BIA matters to a trusted partner like us and enjoy peace of mind while you focus on your business. Contact us now for a comprehensive and holistic BIA.

Disclaimer: This is not a legal document. The intent is to be used as sample/foundation policy for small businesses. Every company should consult with legal counsel familiar with any unique state/country government laws or regulations.

Contact us for additional information and a free analysis of your current infrastructure, policies, and vulnerability along with advice on how to protect remote workers.

Vivitec specializes in Cybersecurity and Managed IT Services. We know your business relies on technology and Vivitec believes your experience should be Simple, Secure, and Reliable.

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