business continuity plan (BCP)

A business continuity plan( BCP) is a business plan for continuing business activities in the event of unexpected or unplanned events. Such a plan includes information that a business needs in exceptional situations such as a significant disruption.

A business continuity plan liststhe essential functions and tasks, and the systems and processes that must be maintained at all costs. Furthermore, such a plan describes all possible business interruptions and the individual measures that must be implemented. Business interruptions can be caused by attacks on IT technology, power outages, natural disasters and also by the intentional or negligent behavior of employees. Therefore, a BCP plan supports limited operations and ensures a short-term restoration of the IT infrastructure. Costly downtimes are limited as far as possible.