Adaptive e-business continuity management: Evidence from the financial sector

Abstract

This paper focuses on business continuity management in organizations that use modern e-business technologies: the Internet, mobile computing, e-services, and virtual infrastructure. The aim is to make the shift from traditional Business Continuity Management (BCM) towards “e-Business Continuity Management” (e-BCM) suitable for modern technological environments. We have defined a comprehensive framework for the implementation of an adaptive e-BCM adjustable to changes in the business environment. The framework consists of practical steps for defining elements of a business continuity management system: business impact analysis, risk assessment, and a business continuity plan. We have implemented and evaluated the framework within three financial organizations. The key finding is that Business Impact Analysis and the continual improvement of the Business Continuity Management System are the driving factors for the effective establishment of an adaptive e-BCM. The proposed framework is general, and can be applied to any organization that uses modern e-business technologies.