Disasters—whether natural, man-made, or digital—don’t wait for convenience. Fires, floods, active shooter incidents, and cybersecurity breaches can disrupt essential services and threaten public safety. That’s why business continuity planning is not just a best practice—it’s a governance imperative.
Local government agencies have increasingly recognized the need to prepare for a wide range of crisis scenarios. Trustees, as fiduciaries, play a critical role in ensuring that continuity plans prioritize the protection and recovery of high-value assets and systems. A well-structured business continuity plan (BCP) helps agencies respond quickly, maintain operations, and communicate effectively during emergencies.
Key Components of a Business Continuity Plan
- Establishing a Command Center
Designate a physical or virtual location where crisis coordination will occur. This center should be equipped to manage communications, decision-making, and resource deployment. - Law Enforcement Notification
Ensure protocols are in place for timely engagement with law enforcement and emergency responders, especially in cases involving physical threats or criminal activity. - Asset Custody During Investigations
Define procedures for securing and preserving critical assets—both digital and physical—during forensic investigations or legal proceedings. - Disaster Recovery Process
Outline the steps for restoring systems, data, and services. Include recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs) to guide expectations and resource allocation.
Cybersecurity Breach Response
In the event of a cybersecurity incident, stakeholders—including constituents, voters, and third-party partners—will demand clarity. They’ll want to know:
- What happened?
- Was their data compromised?
- What is being done to contain and resolve the issue?
Employees, vendors, and suppliers may also experience workflow disruptions, affecting service delivery. An effective communication plan is essential for managing internal and external messaging. Poor communication can lead to confusion, mistrust, and reputational damage.
Tabletop Exercises: A Best Practice for Trustees
Trustees should require an annual business continuity tabletop exercise. These simulations test the effectiveness of the continuity plan against specific threat scenarios. Key elements include:
- Participation from both IT and functional staff.
- Clear recovery time objectives.
- Realistic threat scenarios (e.g., ransomware, natural disaster, insider threat).
- Post-exercise reporting to senior management and the Board.
The exercise should result in a documented assessment of strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations for improvement.
Business continuity planning is not just about technology—it’s about leadership, coordination, and resilience. By preparing for the worst, local governments can ensure they continue to deliver essential services when their communities need them most.
Local Government Cybersecurity Alliance 