Glossary

The inability of an organisation to access and /or occupy its normal working environment. Usually imposed and controlled by the Emergency and /or Statutory Services. (BCI)

A sudden, unplanned, calamitous event causing great damage or loss which results in the inability of an organization to provide critical business functions for some predetermined minimum period of time. (MS 1970)

A sudden, unplanned calamitous event, usually causing great damage or loss, making an organization unable to provide critical business functions for some predetermined minimum period of time. (SS540:2008)

A sudden, unplanned calamitous event causing great damage or loss. 1) Any event that creates an inability on an organisations part to provide critical business functions for some predetermined period of time. 2) In the business environment, any event that creates an inability on an organisation’s part to provide the critical business functions for some predetermined period of time. 3) The period when company management decides to divert from normal production response and exercises its disaster recovery plan. Typically signifies the beginning of a move from a primary to an alternate location.
Similar Terms: Business Interruption, Outage, Catastrophe. (DRII)

An unanticipated incident or event, including natural catastrophes, technological accidents, or human-created events, causing widespread destruction, loss, or distress to an organization that may result in significant property damage, multiple injuries, or deaths. (ASIS)

The document that defines the resources, actions, tasks and data required to manage the business recovery process in the event of a business interruption. The plan is designed to assist in restoring the business process within the stated disaster recovery goals. (DRII)

See: BCM Plan, Recovery Plan. (BCI)

A structured group of teams ready to take control of the recovery operations if a disaster should occur. (DRII)

The acronym for Emergency (ies), Event(s), Incident(s) or Crisis (es). (BCI)

An actual or impending situation that may cause injury, loss of life, destruction of property or cause the interference, loss or disruption of an organization normal business operations to such an extent that it poses a threat. (BCI)

A sudden, unexpected event requiring immediate action due to potential threat to health and safety, the environment or property. (DRII)

A sudden, unexpected event requiring immediate action due to its impact to health and safety, the environment, violation of regulation or which can result in the organization being unable to provide critical business functions for some predetermined minimum period of time. An emergency may precede or happen at the same time as a disaster. (SS540:2008)

An unforeseen incident or event that happens unexpectedly and demands immediate action and intervention to minimize potential losses to people, property, or profitability.(ASIS)

The initial response to any E/I/C and is focused upon protecting human life and the organisation’s assets. (BCI)

A service without which a building would be ‘disabled’. Often applied to the utilities (water, gas. electricity, etc) it may also include standby power systems, environmental control systems or communication networks. (BCI)

An announced or unannounced execution of business continuity plans intended to implement existing plans and / or highlight the need for additional plan development. A way of testing part of a Business Continuity Plan. An exercise may involve invoking Business Continuity Procedures but is more likely to involve the stimulation of a Business Continuity E/I/C in which participants role-play in order to assess what issues may arise, prior to a real invocation.

See: Desktop Exercise, Full Rehearsal (BCI)

An activity that is performed for the purpose of training and conditioning team members, and improving their performance. Types of exercises include: Table Top Exercise, Simulation Exercise, Operational Exercise and Mock Disaster. (DRII)

Another term for alternative e.g. a fallback facility is another site/building that can be use when the original site/building is unusable or unavailable. (BCI)