Introduction

Effective Business Continuity Management (BCM) is indispensable for public agencies to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of critical services, maintain public trust, and safeguard essential operations amidst disruptions. This essential training course focuses on Business Continuity Management for Public Agencies, equipping participants with the systematic approach to identify potential threats, analyze their impact on core functions, and develop robust strategies for recovery and sustained operation. You will learn to navigate the unique challenges of public sector environments, from regulatory compliance and data security to stakeholder communication during crises, ensuring your agency remains operational and effective in the face of any challenge. Mastering Business Continuity Management is crucial for public sector professionals dedicated to enhancing organizational resilience and protecting vital government functions.

This intensive training course delves into the practical application of industry best practices and international standards for BCM specifically tailored for public agencies. We will explore methodologies for conducting comprehensive Business Impact Analyses (BIAs), delve into the creation of actionable continuity plans, understand the nuances of incident response and crisis communication, and examine the critical role of testing and maintenance. Participants will gain hands-on experience in developing and implementing BCM frameworks, establishing recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs), and fostering a culture of preparedness within their public sector entities. By the end of this training course, you will possess the expertise to design, implement, and manage a robust Business Continuity Management program, ensuring your agency can withstand disruptions and continue serving the public effectively.

Target Audience

• Government Agency Directors & Managers
• Public Sector IT & Operations Managers
• Emergency Management Coordinators
• Public Information Officers
• Risk Management Professionals in Government
• Compliance & Audit Officers in Public Agencies
• Department Heads overseeing critical public services
• Business Continuity Planners for Government

Course Objectives

• Understand the fundamental concepts and importance of Business Continuity Management (BCM) for public agencies.
• Learn how to conduct a comprehensive Business Impact Analysis (BIA) to identify critical public services.
• Master methodologies for assessing risks and vulnerabilities specific to public sector operations.
• Develop skills in formulating effective business continuity strategies and recovery options.
• Understand the components of a robust Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for government entities.
• Learn strategies for effective incident response and crisis management in public agencies.
• Explore best practices for internal and external communication during public sector disruptions.
• Master techniques for testing, exercising, and validating business continuity plans.
• Understand the role of technology and data recovery in public agency continuity.
• Learn about regulatory compliance and governance considerations for BCM in the public sector.
• Apply practical BCM principles to enhance the resilience of public agency operations.

Duration

5 Days

Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Business Continuity for Public Agencies

• Defining Business Continuity Management (BCM) and its relevance to public agencies.
• Understanding the importance of maintaining essential government functions during disruptions.
• Exploring the benefits of a robust BCM program for public trust and service delivery.
• Overview of the BCM lifecycle: policy, analysis, design, implementation, validation.
• Key drivers for BCM adoption in the public sector.

Module 2: Business Impact Analysis (BIA) for Public Services

• Learning methodologies for conducting a comprehensive Business Impact Analysis (BIA) for your module.
• Identifying critical public services and their dependencies.
• Determining Recovery Time Objectives (RTOs) and Recovery Point Objectives (RPOs) for public functions.
• Assessing the impact of disruptions on service delivery, reputation, and compliance.
• Prioritizing public services based on criticality.

Module 3: Risk Assessment and Vulnerability for Public Agencies

• Conducting systematic risk assessments to identify threats to public agency operations.
• Analyzing vulnerabilities in infrastructure, IT systems, personnel, and supply chains.
• Evaluating the likelihood and potential impact of various risks.
• Developing strategies for risk mitigation and prevention.
• Understanding common public sector-specific risks (e.g., cyberattacks, public health crises).

Module 4: Developing Business Continuity Strategies

• Formulating effective business continuity strategies for critical public agency functions.
• Exploring various recovery options (e.g., alternate sites, redundant systems, remote work).
• Designing contingency plans for personnel, facilities, technology, and data.
• Understanding resource requirements for implementing continuity strategies.
• Aligning strategies with agency mission and public service mandates.

Module 5: Business Continuity Plan (BCP) Development

• Structuring and developing a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for public agencies.
• Documenting roles, responsibilities, and procedures for plan activation.
• Creating clear communication trees and contact lists for emergency response.
• Integrating incident response protocols into the BCP.
• Ensuring the BCP is actionable and easily understandable by all personnel.

Module 6: Incident Response and Crisis Management

• Establishing effective incident response teams and protocols for public agencies.
• Understanding the coordination between incident response, crisis management, and BCM.
• Managing the immediate aftermath of a disruptive event.
• Implementing strategies for rapid assessment and stabilization of operations.
• Best practices for decision-making under pressure in a public sector crisis.

Module 7: Testing, Exercising, and Maintenance of BCM

• Designing and conducting various BCM exercises (e.g., tabletop, functional, full-scale) for your module.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and identifying gaps.
• Implementing a continuous improvement cycle based on lessons learned from exercises.
• Establishing a schedule for regular review, update, and maintenance of BCM documentation.
• Fostering a culture of preparedness and ongoing training within public agencies.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.