Course Outline
Introduction to Business Continuity
• Definition of business continuity
• Difference between business continuity and disaster recovery
• Importance of continuity planning in modern organisations
• Types of business disruptions
Understanding Business Risks
• Internal and external threats to organisations
• Operational, financial, and reputational risks
• Impact of disruption on business functions
• Risk identification and evaluation
Business Impact Analysis (BIA)
• Identifying critical business functions
• Understanding dependencies and interdependencies
• Assessing impact of downtime
• Recovery time objectives (RTO) and priorities
Business Continuity Planning
• Structure of a business continuity plan
• Key components of continuity strategies
• Roles and responsibilities within plans
• Documentation and communication procedures
Incident Response and Management
• Immediate response to incidents
• Escalation procedures
• Communication during disruption
• Coordination across teams and departments
Crisis Communication
• Internal communication strategies
• External communication with stakeholders
• Managing reputational risk
• Maintaining clear and consistent messaging
Recovery Strategies
• Maintaining critical operations
• Alternative working arrangements
• Resource allocation during disruption
• Returning to normal operations
Testing and Maintaining Continuity Plans
• Importance of testing plans regularly
• Types of continuity exercises
• Reviewing and updating plans
• Continuous improvement approach
Business Continuity as an Ongoing Responsibility
• Embedding continuity awareness in organisations
• Supporting organisational resilience culture
• Reporting risks and vulnerabilities
• Continuous monitoring and improvement
Who the Course Is For
This course is suitable for individuals involved in organisational planning, operations, and risk management, including:
• Senior Management and Directors
• Operations Managers
• HR Managers & Business Partners
• Facilities Managers
• Risk and Compliance Professionals
• Health & Safety Officers
• IT and Infrastructure Teams
• Business Continuity Coordinators
• Team Leaders and Supervisors
No prior business continuity experience is required.
Why This Training Is Important
Risk Management
Organisations face increasing risks from operational, environmental, and technological disruptions
Lack of preparedness can result in significant financial and reputational damage
Organisational Resilience
Continuity planning supports the ability to maintain critical functions during disruption
Improves organisational stability and long-term sustainability
Legal and Governance Responsibility
Organisations are expected to manage risks and maintain continuity planning as part of governance frameworks
Operational Continuity
Structured planning ensures minimal disruption to services, customers, and internal operations
Course Objectives
Participants will:
• Understand key principles of business continuity
• Identify risks and potential disruptions within organisations
• Understand how to conduct a basic business impact analysis
• Recognise roles and responsibilities in continuity planning
• Support development and implementation of continuity plans
• Understand incident response and communication procedures
• Contribute to organisational resilience and preparedness
Course Format & Delivery
Instructor-led training
• Interactive discussion and scenario-based learning
• Case studies and real-world examples
• Group exercises and planning discussions
Delivered:
• Onsite at client premises, or
• Online Webinar
The course focuses on practical organisational awareness and structured planning rather than theory-only instruction.
Irish Legislation Supported
This training supports organisational responsibilities under:
• Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005
• ISO 22301 Business Continuity Management Systems (international best practice framework)
Organisations are required to:
• Identify and manage risks to operations
• Maintain safe and resilient working environments
• Ensure continuity of critical services where applicable
• Implement structured emergency and contingency planning
Why Choose Samson Training
Samson Training delivers professional organisational training focused on real-world resilience and operational continuity.
Our approach emphasises:
• Practical continuity planning awareness
• Clear understanding of roles and responsibilities
• Real organisational disruption scenarios
• Structured and consistent training delivery
• Risk-based thinking and decision-making
We position business continuity as a core organisational responsibility — not just a compliance exercise.
FAQ's
What is Business Continuity Awareness training?
Business Continuity Awareness training provides an understanding of how organisations prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptions to maintain critical operations.
Who should attend this training?
This course is suitable for managers, supervisors, and employees involved in planning, operations, and organisational risk management.
Is Business Continuity training required in Ireland?
While not always explicitly mandated, organisations are expected to manage operational risks and maintain continuity planning as part of governance and compliance responsibilities.
Does the course include practical examples?
Yes. The course includes real-world scenarios, case studies, and practical discussions to support understanding.
