PECB ISO-22301-Lead-Auditor PECB Certified ISO 22301 Lead Auditor Exam Exam Practice Test

The outgoing commitment from executive management helps to embed a positive business continuity culture within the organization by demonstrating leadership and support for the business continuity management system (BCMS) and its objectives. Executive management is responsible for establishing the BCMS policy, ensuring the alignment of the BCMS with the organization’s strategic direction, providing the necessary resources for the BCMS, communicating the importance of the BCMS, and promoting continual improvement of the BCMS. Executive management also sets an example for the rest of the organization by being actively involved in the BCMS activities and ensuring accountability and responsibility for the BCMS performance. References: ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, page 27; ISO 22301:2019 standard, clause 5.1

The Check phase of the PDCA cycle is the phase that determines potential issues pertaining to the management of the BCMS. The Check phase involves monitoring and evaluating the performance and effectiveness of the BCMS and identifying any gaps, nonconformities, risks, or opportunities for improvement. The Check phase also involves collecting and analyzing data and information related to the BCMS, such as the results of audits, reviews, tests, exercises, surveys, and feedback. The Check phase provides valuable input for the Act phase, where corrective and preventive actions are taken to address the issues and improve the BCMS. References: : ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, page 11 : ISO 22301:2019, clause 9.1 : Business continuity and ISO 22301 - Qudos : ISO 22313:2020(en), Security and resilience ? Business continuity …

The Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) paradigm ensures that organizations can effectively complete the full cycle of the management system, thereby achieving its intended outcomes. The PDCA cycle is a four-step iterative process that helps organizations to establish, implement, maintain, and continually improve their management systems. The PDCA cycle consists of the following phases:

• Plan: Establish the objectives and processes necessary to deliver the desired results.
• Do: Implement the processes as planned.
• Check: Monitor and measure the processes and results against the objectives and report the outcomes.
• Act: Take actions to improve the performance of the processes, if necessary. The PDCA cycle is also known as the Deming cycle, after its creator, W. Edwards Deming. The PDCA cycle is widely used in various management system standards, including ISO 22301, as it provides a structured approach to achieve continual improvement and customer satisfaction. References: ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, page 10 1; ISO 22301:2019, clause 0.3 2

A personal interview is a type of interview that employs verbal questioning as its principal technique of data collection. It is a face-to-face conversation between the interviewer and the interviewee, where the interviewer asks open-ended or closed-ended questions to obtain information from the interviewee. A personal interview can be conducted in various settings, such as at the interviewee’s workplace, home, or a neutral location. A personal interview can be structured, semi-structured, or unstructured, depending on the level of flexibility and standardization of the questions. A personal interview can be used for different purposes, such as to assess the interviewee’s competence, motivation, attitude, or opinion on a certain topic. A personal interview can also be used to establish rapport, trust, and credibility between the interviewer and the interviewee. A personal interview can have various advantages and disadvantages, such as:

Advantages:

• It allows the interviewer to observe the interviewee’s body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, which can provide additional insights into the interviewee’s feelings, emotions, and reactions.
• It enables the interviewer to probe deeper into the interviewee’s responses, clarify ambiguities, and ask follow-up questions to obtain more detailed and comprehensive information.
• It gives the interviewer the opportunity to adapt the questions and the pace of the interview according to the interviewee’s level of knowledge, interest, and responsiveness.
• It can increase the interviewee’s willingness to participate, cooperate, and disclose information, as the interviewer can establish a personal connection and a positive atmosphere with the interviewee.
• It can reduce the possibility of misunderstanding, misinterpretation, or distortion of the information, as the interviewer can verify and confirm the interviewee’s answers immediately.

Disadvantages:

• It can be time-consuming, costly, and labor-intensive, as it requires the interviewer to travel to the interviewee’s location, schedule the interview, and conduct the interview.
• It can be influenced by various biases, such as the interviewer’s expectations, preferences, stereotypes, or prejudices, which can affect the interviewer’s choice of questions, interpretation of answers, and evaluation of the interviewee.
• It can be affected by various factors, such as the interviewer’s skills, personality, appearance, or mood, which can influence the interviewer’s performance, behavior, and interaction with the interviewee.
• It can be subject to various errors, such as the interviewer’s memory, recall, or transcription errors, which can result in the loss, omission, or alteration of the information.
• It can pose various challenges, such as the interviewer’s difficulty in maintaining control, neutrality, or objectivity, or the interviewee’s reluctance, resistance, or dishonesty, which can hinder the quality and validity of the information.

References:

• PECB Certified ISO 22301 Lead Auditor eLearning Training Course1, Module 5: Conducting an ISO 22301 audit, Lesson 5.2: Communication during the audit, Slide 8: Types of interviews
• ISO 22301 Auditing eBook2, Chapter 5: Conducting an ISO 22301 audit, Section 5.2: Communication during the audit, Subsection 5.2.1: Types of interviews

 According to ISO 22301:2019, Clause 7.2, the organization must determine the necessary competence of persons doing work under its control that affects its business continuity performance. The organization must ensure that these persons are competent on the basis of appropriate education, training, or experience, and where applicable, take actions to acquire the necessary competence, and evaluate the effectiveness of the actions taken. The organization must also retain appropriate documented information as evidence of competence. Therefore, people are the ones who have determined roles and responsibilities based on knowledge and skills profiles, as they are the key resources for implementing and maintaining the business continuity management system (BCMS). References: ISO 22301:2019, Clause 7.2; ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 4.2.2.

 Evaluation is the process of assessing the performance of an organization, a system, a process, or an activity against a set of criteria, standards, or objectives. Evaluation can be used to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, as well as to measure the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of the organization’s activities. Evaluation can also be used to compare the performance of different organizations, systems, processes, or activities, and to identify and share best practices and lessons learned. Evaluation is one of the key elements of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle, which is the basis of the ISO 22301 standard for business continuity management systems (BCMS). Evaluation is related to performance evaluation, audit, and benchmarking study, as these are some of the methods or tools that can be used to conduct evaluation. References: ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 2: Introduction to Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS), Section 2.3: The PDCA Cycle, Page 17; ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 5: Audit Principles, Section 5.1: Introduction, Page 65; ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 6: Audit Program, Section 6.3: Audit Program Objectives, Page 75; ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 7: Audit Activities, Section 7.1: Introduction, Page 85; ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 8: Audit Competence and Evaluation of Auditors, Section 8.1: Introduction, Page 105.

Business Continuity Management (BCM) is the approach that identifies potential threats to an organization and impacts to business operations. BCM provides a framework for building organizational resilience with the capability of an effective response that safeguards the interests of its key stakeholders, reputation, brand and value-creating activities1. BCM involves the following steps2:

• Establishing the context and scope of the BCMS
• Conducting a business impact analysis (BIA) and risk assessment (RA)
• Developing business continuity strategies and solutions
• Implementing business continuity plans and procedures
• Exercising, testing and reviewing the BCMS
• Continually improving the BCMS References:
• ISO 22301:2019, clause 3.6
• ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, page 15

 According to ISO 22301 Lead Auditor objectives and content, workshops are one of the methods that can be used to conduct a business impact analysis (BIA). Workshops bring a group of people together into a discussion, where they can share their knowledge, opinions, and perspectives on the organization’s processes, resources, dependencies, and impacts. Workshops can help to identify and prioritize the critical activities and resources that are essential for the continuity of theorganization’s operations. Workshops can also facilitate the communication and collaboration among different stakeholders, such as process owners, managers, employees, and customers. Workshops can be conducted in various formats, such as face-to-face, online, or hybrid, depending on the availability and preferences of the participants. Workshops should be planned and facilitated by a competent person, who can guide the discussion, ask relevant questions, collect and document the information, and ensure the validity and consistency of the results. References: ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, page 381; ISO 22301 Clause 8.2 Business impact analysis and risk assessment2

The resources that are involved in business continuity to continue critical operations at an acceptable level are premises, information, technology, and supplies. These are the four types of resources that are defined by ISO 22301, the international standard for business continuity management systems (BCMS). According to ISO 22301, a resource is anything that can be used to achieve an objective1. The standard specifies the following types of resources and their definitions2:

• Premises: The physical location where an organization operates or stores its assets.
• Information: The data and knowledge that are necessary for an organization to function or provide its products and services.
• Technology: The equipment, software, and systems that are used to process, store, transmit, or receive information, or to support the delivery of products and services.
• Supplies: The materials, goods, or services that are required for an organization to operate or produce its products and services.

These resources are essential for business continuity because they enable an organization to perform its critical activities, which are the activities that have to be performed to deliver the key products and services that meet the minimum acceptable level of service and the needs of the interested parties3. Therefore, an organization needs to identify, prioritize, protect, and restore these resources in the event of a disruption, as part of its BCMS.

The other options are not correct because they are not types of resources that are involved in business continuity to continue critical operations at an acceptable level, according to ISO 22301. Data is a subset of information, and it is not a separate type of resource. Knowledge is also a part of information, and it is not a distinct type of resource.

References: 1: ISO 22301:2019, Security and resilience — Business continuity management systems — Requirements, 3.33 2: ISO 22301:2019, Security and resilience — Business continuity management systems — Requirements, 3.34-3.37 3: ISO 22301:2019, Security and resilience — Business continuity management systems — Requirements, 3.7 : ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 2.2.2 : ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 2.2.3 : ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 2.2.4

 The document that is owned by executive management and sets the purpose of BCM in an organization is the Business Continuity Policy. The Business Continuity Policy is a high-level document that defines the scope, objectives, principles, and roles and responsibilities for business continuity management within the organization. It also demonstrates the commitment of top management to support and continually improve the BCMS. The Business Continuity Policy is one of the mandatory documents required by ISO 22301, the international standard for BCMS12.

The other options are not correct because they are not documents that are owned by executive management and set the purpose of BCM in an organization. A Business Process Policy is a document that describes the procedures and rules for performing a specific business process, such as procurement, sales, or accounting. A Register is a document that records and tracks the status of certain items, such as risks, incidents, or assets. A Worksheet is a document that contains data and calculations, such as a spreadsheet or a form.

References: 1: ISO 22301:2019, Security and resilience — Business continuity management systems — Requirements, 5.3 2: ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 2.2.2

According to the ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, likelihood is defined as "the chance of something happening, whether defined, measured or determined objectively or subjectively, qualitatively or quantitatively, and described using general terms or mathematically (such as a probability or a frequency over a given time period)"1. Likelihood is one of the factors that determine the level of risk, along with the impact or consequence of an event. The probability of a threat or risk to occur is therefore equivalent to the likelihood of that event.

References: : ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 3: Business Continuity Management System, Section 3.2: Terms and definitions, Page 23.

 Leadership stresses the importance of executive support for the BCMS, as it is one of the key factors for the success of the system. According to the ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, leadership is the process of influencing and directing people to achieve the organization’s business continuity objectives. Leadership involves setting the vision, direction, and strategy for the BCMS, as well as providing the necessary resources, support, and communication to implement and maintain the system. Executive support refers to the commitment and involvement of the top management in the BCMS. Executive support ensures that the BCMS is aligned with the organization’s overall strategy and objectives, and that it receives the adequate attention, budget, and resources it needs. Executive support also ensures that the BCMS is integrated into the organization’s culture and values, and that it is communicated to all relevant parties, such as employees, customers, suppliers, regulators, and the public. Executive support can create a positive impact on the organization’s resilience and reputation, as it demonstrates the organization’s readiness and capability to respond to and recover from disruptive incidents. Leadership and executive support are closely related and mutually reinforcing. Leadership requires executive support to establish and sustain the BCMS, and executive support requires leadership to guide and direct the BCMS. Without leadership and executive support, the BCMS may not be effective, efficient, or consistent, and may not achieve the desired outcomes. References: ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, pages 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, and 27.

 The step in the PDCA cycle that formulates and implements a management plan with actions is the Do step. The Do step is the second phase of the PDCA cycle, following the Plan step. In the Do step, the organization executes the plan that was developed in the Plan step, based on the objectives, policies, and procedures of the business continuity management system (BCMS). The Do step involves implementing the new or improved processes,controls, activities, and measures that are designed to achieve the desired outcomes and performance of the BCMS. The Do step also involves documenting the results and outcomes of the implementation, as well as any problems or deviations that occurred. The Do step provides the basis for the Check step, where the organization monitors and evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of the implemented plan. References:

• ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 1: Introduction to Business Continuity Management Systems, Section 1.3: PDCA Cycle1
• ISO 22301:2019 - Security and resilience — Business continuity management systems — Requirements, Clause 8: Operation2

An unambiguous objective is one that is concise and unequivocal, meaning that it is clear, precise, and leaves no room for doubt or confusion. An unambiguous objective is important for business continuity management, as it helps to ensure that the organization and its stakeholders have a common understanding of what is expected and how to measure the progress and achievement of the objective. An unambiguous objective also helps to avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, or disputes that may arise from vague or ambiguous objectives. According to ISO 22301, business continuity objectives should be consistent with the business continuity policy, measurable, monitored, communicated, and updated as appropriate. They should also be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-based. These criteria help to ensure that the objectives are unambiguous and effective. References: ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 2: Business Continuity Management System (BCMS), Section 2.2: Business Continuity Policy, page 25. ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 2: Business Continuity Management System (BCMS), Section 2.3: Business Continuity Objectives, page 26.

Process management is the framework that is a continuous and progressive cycle that requires managerial, operational, administrative and technical support. Process management refers to the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and improvement of the processes that deliver value to the organization and its stakeholders. Process management involves the following steps:

• Define the process: Identify the purpose, scope, objectives, inputs, outputs, activities, roles, and responsibilities of the process.
• Document the process: Create a visual representation of the process flow, such as a flowchart, diagram, or map, that shows the sequence of tasks, decisions, and interactions within the process.
• Implement the process: Execute the process according to the defined and documented specifications, using the appropriate resources, tools, and methods.
• Monitor the process: Measure and analyze the performance of the process, using key performance indicators (KPIs), metrics, and feedback mechanisms, to ensure that the process meets the expected outcomes and quality standards.
• Evaluate the process: Review and assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the process, using audit, review, and evaluation techniques, to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the process.
• Improve the process: Implement corrective and preventive actions, based on the results of the evaluation, to enhance the process and eliminate or reduce the causes of nonconformities, errors, or inefficiencies.

Process management is a continuous and progressive cycle that requires managerial, operational, administrative and technical support, as the process is constantly subject to change and improvement, based on the changing needs and expectations of the organization and its stakeholders. Process management also supports the implementation and maintenance of a business continuity management system (BCMS), as it helps the organization to identify, protect, and optimize its critical business processes and resources, and to ensure their continuity and resilience in the event of a disruption. References:

• ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 3: Business Continuity Management System, Section 3.4: Planning, Page 18
• ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 3: Business Continuity Management System, Section 3.6: Performance Evaluation, Page 21
• ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 3: Business Continuity Management System, Section 3.7: Improvement, Page 23
• ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 4: Business Continuity Management System Audit, Section 4.1: Audit Principles, Page 26
• ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 4: Business Continuity Management System Audit, Section 4.3: Audit Process, Page 28

A multidisciplinary function encompasses the knowledge and skills of a diverse group of professionals to manage the corporate Business Continuity Management programme.According to the ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, "Business continuity is a multidisciplinary function that involves several different departments and business units, such as IT, human resources, finance, legal, public relations, etc. Each of these departments and units has a role and responsibility in ensuring the continuity of the organization’s critical activities and processes in the event of a disruption. Therefore, a business continuity auditor needs to have a broad understanding of the various aspects and functions of the organization, as well as the specific requirements and expectations of each stakeholder group."1 References:

• ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 2: Business Continuity Concepts and Principles, Section 2.2: Business Continuity Auditor Competencies1

The team that is responsible for determining how the impact of the incident is managed within the policy guidelines set by the strategic team is the tactical team. The tactical team is composed of managers or experts who have the authority and competence to make decisions and allocate resources to implement the business continuity plans and strategies. The tactical team coordinates and communicates with the operational team, which is responsible for executing the recovery and restoration activities, and reports to the strategic team, which is responsible for setting the overall direction and objectives of the incident response1.

References: 1: ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 7: Business Continuity Response, Section 7.2: Incident Management Structure, Subsection 7.2.1: Incident Management Teams, Page 103

Adopting the BCMS optimizes the organization’s business continuity capability by enabling it to identify, prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptive events. The BCMS provides a systematic approach to plan, implement, operate, monitor, review, maintain, and improve the organization’s ability to protect its critical functions and deliver its products and services at an acceptable level of performance during and after a disruption. The BCMS also helps the organization to enhance its resilience, reduce its risks, improve its reputation, and increase its customer satisfaction. References: ISO 22301:2019, Clause 1; ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 1.1.

Process-oriented objectives are the objectives that focus on the BCM activities that support the achievement of people-and performance-oriented objectives, as defined by ISO 22301. Process-oriented objectives are derived from the business continuity policy and the results of the business impact analysis (BIA) and risk assessment (RA). Process-oriented objectives are measurable, consistent, and relevant to the organization’s business continuity requirements and strategies. Process-oriented objectives are also aligned with the organization’s strategic direction and communicated to all relevant parties. Process-oriented objectives are one of the key requirements of ISO 22301, as they provide the basis for planning, implementing, monitoring, reviewing, and improving the business continuity management system (BCMS). References: ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, page 28 1; ISO 22301:2019, clause 6.2 2

The check phase in the PDCA cycle is the phase where the organization monitors, measures, analyzes, and evaluates the performance and effectiveness of the BCMS against the business continuity policy, objectives, and requirements. The check phase involves conducting internal audits, management reviews, and performance evaluations to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the BCMS, as well as the opportunities for improvement. The check phase also involves collecting and analyzing feedback from interested parties, such as customers, suppliers, regulators, and employees, to ensure that the BCMS meets their needs and expectations. The check phase provides the basis for the act phase, where the organization takescorrective actions and preventive actions to address the nonconformities and risks identified in the check phase. References: ISO 22301:2019, Clause 9; ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 5.1.

Corporate structure outlines the management hierarchy of the organization, such as the board of directors, the executive management, the business units, the departments, the teams, and the individuals. It defines the roles, responsibilities, authorities, and accountabilities of the organizational members, as well as the reporting and communication lines. Corporate structure also reflects the organization’s culture, values, vision, mission, and strategic objectives. It is importantfor the organization to have a clear and effective corporate structure that supports the implementation and operation of the business continuity management system (BCMS) and ensures the alignment of the business continuity objectives with the strategic direction of the organization. References: ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 2: Business Continuity Management System (BCMS), Section 2.1: Scope and Objectives, page 23.

Corporate defences are the measures and mechanisms that an organization implements to protect itself from internal and external threats and disruptions. Corporate defences include guidelines, procedures, and physical control systems that aim to prevent, detect, respond to, and recover from incidents that may affect the organization’s assets, operations, performance, reputation, or continuity. Corporate defences are an essential component of business continuity management, as they help to ensure the organization’s resilience and sustainability in the face of uncertainty and volatility. Corporate defences should be aligned with the organization’s objectives, values, and culture, as well as the requirements and expectations of its stakeholders. Corporate defences should also be based on a systematic assessment of the organization’s risks and opportunities, as well as the best practices and standards for business continuity, such as ISO 223011. References:

• ISO 22301:2019 - Security and resilience — Business continuity management systems — Requirements1
• ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 2: Business Continuity Concepts and Principles, Section 2.5: Corporate Defences2

Stakeholders are individuals or groups that have an interest in the organization’s performance. According to the ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, "Stakeholders are persons or organizations that can affect, be affected by, or perceive themselves to be affected by a decision or activity of the organization. Stakeholders can be internal or external to the organization. Examples of internal stakeholders are employees, managers, owners, and board members. Examples of external stakeholders are customers, suppliers, regulators, investors, competitors, media, and the public."1 Stakeholders have different needs and expectations regarding the organization’s business continuity management system (BCMS) and its ability to respond to and recover from disruptive incidents. Therefore, the organization needs to identify its relevant stakeholders and understand their requirements and expectations, as well as communicate with them effectively and appropriately. This is one of the requirements of ISO 22301, the international standard for business continuity management systems. ISO 22301 requires the organization to determine the interested parties that are relevant to its BCMS and the requirements of these interested parties2. Interested parties are a subset of stakeholders that have a direct or indirect influence on the BCMS or a stake in its outcome3. The organization also needs to monitor and review the information about these interested parties and their requirements, as they may change over time2. References:

• ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 2: Business Continuity Concepts and Principles, Section 2.1: Stakeholders1
• ISO 22301:2019 - Security and resilience — Business continuity management systems — Requirements, Clause 4.2: Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties2
• Interested parties in ISO 27001 and ISO 22301 | Who are they?3

The key areas of exercise are organisation and plans. According to the ISO 22301 Auditing eBook1, an exercise is a process to train for, assess, practice, and improve performance in an organization. The purpose of an exercise is to evaluate the organization’s capability to respond to a disruptive incident and implement its business continuity plans. Therefore, the key areas of exercise are the organization itself, which includes its structure, roles, responsibilities, resources, and culture, and the plans that define the objectives, scope, scenarios, procedures, and evaluation criteria of the exercise. These two areas are essential to ensure that the exercise is realistic, relevant, effective, and aligned with the organization’s business continuity objectives and expectations. References:

• ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, page 71
• ISO 22301:2019, clause 8.5

 Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is the approach that manages the full spectrum of risks and their combined impact as an interrelated risk profile to the organization. ERM enables an organization to consider the potential impact of all types of risks on all processes, activities, stakeholders, products and services1. ERM helps an organization to align its strategy, processes, technology, and knowledge with the purpose of evaluating and managing the uncertainties it faces2. ERM is a holistic and integrated approach that covers strategic, operational, financial, and compliance risks, as well as opportunities3. References:

• ISO 31000:2018, clause 3.1
• ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, page 11
• Enterprise Risk Management - Integrating with Strategy and Performance, page 4

Reviewing is the stage that helps management to define where focus and resources should be invested. According to ISO 22301, reviewing is the process of evaluating the performance and effectiveness of the business continuity management system (BCMS) and identifying opportunities for improvement. Reviewing can be done through internal audits, management reviews, performance evaluations, and corrective actions. Reviewing can help management to ensure that the BCMS is aligned with the organization’s strategic objectives, meets the needs and expectations of interested parties, complies with the applicable requirements, andcontinually improves its resilience and capability to respond to disruptive incidents. References: ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, page 171; ISO 22301:2019, clause 92

Performance evaluation is the BCMS process that analyzes the adequacy of the business continuity capability using defined targets and performance indicators. It involves monitoring, measuring, analyzing, and evaluating the BCMS performance and effectiveness, as well as conducting internal audits and management reviews. Performance evaluation helps to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the BCMS, as well as the opportunities for improvement and corrective actions. Performance evaluation is one of the key requirements of ISO 22301, as it demonstrates the organization’s commitment to continual improvement and customer satisfaction. References: ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, page 19 1; ISO 22301:2019, clause 9 2

Business continuity can be integrated into two levels of the organization’s activities: management and processes. According to the ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, "Business continuity integration is the process of embedding business continuity principles and practices into the organization’s culture, values, and operations. Business continuity integration aims to ensure that business continuity is not seen as a separate function or project, but as an integral part of the organization’s management and processes."1

Business continuity integration at the management level involves the following aspects1:

• Leadership and commitment: The top management of the organization should demonstrate leadership and commitment to the business continuity management system (BCMS) by establishing the business continuity policy, objectives, and roles, as well as providing the necessary resources and support for the BCMS.
• Planning and strategy: The organization should plan and develop its business continuity strategy and objectives based on the results of the business impact analysis and risk assessment, as well as the needs and expectations of the interested parties. The organization should also plan the actions to address the risks and opportunities related to the BCMS, as well as the changes that may affect the BCMS.
• Monitoring and evaluation: The organization should monitor and measure the performance and effectiveness of the BCMS, as well as the compliance with the requirements and expectations of the interested parties. The organization should also conduct internal and external audits, management reviews, and corrective actions to evaluate and improve the BCMS.
• Continual improvement: The organization should continually improve the suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of the BCMS by identifying and implementing opportunities for enhancement and innovation.

Business continuity integration at the process level involves the following aspects1:

• Process identification and analysis: The organization should identify and analyze its processes and their interactions, as well as their criticality, dependencies, and recovery priorities. The organization should also determine the minimum business continuity objectives (MBCOs), recovery time objectives (RTOs), and recovery point objectives (RPOs) for each process.
• Process design and implementation: The organization should design and implement its processes in accordance with the business continuity strategy and objectives, as well as the requirements and expectations of the interested parties. The organization should also establish and maintain the business continuity plans and procedures that specify the actions and responsibilities for responding to and recovering from disruptive incidents.
• Process control and operation: The organization should control and operate its processes in a consistent and effective manner, as well as ensure the availability and reliability of the resources and assets that support the processes. The organization should also conduct exercises and tests to verify and validate the functionality and operability of the processes and the business continuity plans and procedures.
• Process improvement and optimization: The organization should improve and optimize its processes by applying the PDCA cycle and the process approach principles. The organization should also seek to enhance the resilience and adaptability of its processes to cope with changing circumstances and needs.

References:

• ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 3: Business Continuity Integration, Section 3.1: Business Continuity Integration Levels1
• ISO 22301:2019 - Security and resilience — Business continuity management systems — Requirements2

 Corporate Services and Information Technology are the functions that provide a range of physical and technological infrastructure services to all other functions, such as human resources, finance, legal, procurement, facilities, security, IT systems, networks, applications, databases, etc. These functions are essential for the continuity of the organization’s operations, as they support the delivery of products and services to customers and stakeholders. Therefore, they need to be included in the scope and objectives of the business continuity management system (BCMS), and their roles and responsibilities need to be defined and communicated. References: ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, Chapter 2: Business Continuity Management System (BCMS), Section 2.1: Scope and Objectives, page 23.

Support does not lay out the foundation of planning and managing the BCMS, but rather provides the necessary resources and arrangements to enable the effective operation of the BCMS. Support includes aspects such as competence, awareness, communication, documented information, and organizational knowledge. The foundation of planning and managing the BCMS is laid out by the leadership and planning clauses of ISO 22301, which define the roles and responsibilities, policies, objectives, and actions to address risks and opportunities for the BCMS. References: ISO 22301 Auditing eBook, page 15 1; ISO 22301:2019, clauses 5, 6, and 7 2