scope:

This International Standard for business continuity management specifies requirements to plan, establish, implement, operate, monitor, review, maintain and continually improve a documented management system to protect against, reduce the likelihood of occurrence, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptive incidents when they arise.

The requirements specified in this International Standard are generic and intended to be applicable to all organizations, or parts thereof, regardless of type, size and nature of the organization. The extent of application of these requirements depends on the organization's operating environment and complexity.

It is not the intent of this International Standard to imply uniformity in the structure of a Business Continuity Management System (BCMS), but for an organization to design a BCMS that is appropriate to its needs and that meets its interested parties' requirements. These needs are shaped by legal, regulatory, organizational and industry requirements, the products and services, the processes employed, the size and structure of the organization, and the requirements of its interested parties.

This International Standard is applicable to all types and sizes of organizations that wish to

a) establish, implement, maintain and improve a BCMS,

b) ensure conformity with stated business continuity policy,

c) demonstrate conformity to others,

d) seek certification/registration of its BCMS by an accredited third party certification body, or

e) make a self-determination and self-declaration of conformity with this International Standard.

This International Standard can be used to assess an organization's ability to meet its own continuity needs and obligations.