Cooperative CUSO CU*Answers recently offered a free, interactive web course regarding Business Continuity Management (BCM) and planning. It included an overview of the five-phased approach utilized from start to finish for the development and implementation of an effective and efficient BCM program based on industry best practices, scalable for all organizations.

The course was presented by Jim Lawrence, CBCP, Business Continuity Manager at CU*Answers, as he discussed the business continuity planning process, including steps to help credit unions develop, implement, and test their own continuity and recovery plans. This course highlighted two recent FFIEC publications: “Appendix J: Strengthening Resilience of Outsourced Technology Services” and “Cybersecurity Assessment Tool,” explaining how they both will impact CU continuity and recovery strategies.

By completing this course, attendees completed the first steps toward understanding the differences between disaster recovery and business continuity planning; identifying the five phases for implementing a BCM program to meet their uniquely defined business objectives; outlining and prioritizing the steps required to initiate and develop a BCM program for their organization; and gained knowledge of available resources and services offered by CU*Answers to assist in BCM program design and project management.