Business continuity
Equipping staff and students for success amidst disruptions and ensuring safety first.
At UNSW, the Business Continuity Management program focuses on identifying the most critical functions and processes that need to continue in the event of an incident or disruption. Business Continuity Plans (BCPs) are developed at UNSW to provide the handrails to stakeholders when faced with disruptions.
We focus on engaging with Faculties, Divisions, and related entities to understand what people, equipment, IT, third parties and other infrastructure their critical functions and processes rely on. Determining how they can best continue these in the event of a disruption.
UNSW has in place a Critical Incident Management Team (CIMT) that is responsible for managing incidents, and a Business Continuity Team (BCT) responsible for co-ordinating implementation of continuity plans. Both are comprised of senior leaders from Faculties and Divisions, as well as central function representatives from Estate Management, Communications, and IT. Each Faculty or Division has its own Business Unit Recovery Team (BURT) responsible for leading and implementing continuity plans for their respective units and Business Continuity Champions to support the Business Continuity program.
The Business Continuity Lead at UNSW leads the University’s program by having in place an annual Business Impact Analysis (BIA), regular training to ensure those with business continuity responsibilities have developed their skills appropriately and an extensive exercising program to validate the procedures and plans.
The Business Continuity Management Program reports to the Risk Committee quarterly.
BC Framework
The Business Continuity & Resilience Framework outlines the approach and policies that UNSW use to manage continuity and resilience.
BC Plan
UNSW has both a UNSW-wide Business Continuity Plan (BCP) as well as several faculty and division specific plans.
The Business Continuity Team (BCT) is responsible for co-ordinating the recovery of critical functions at UNSW, in conjunction with Division/Faculty Business Unit Recovery Teams (BURTs). Business Continuity Champions and BURT Chairs have current plans.
As we transition to a new template with the rollout of Metric Stream, please contact risk@unsw.edu.au for more information.
BC Awareness Training
Information and awareness of emergency procedures and continuity (recovery) plans is an important aspect of our Business Continuity & Resilience program. Emergency Management and Business Continuity & Resilience have developed, in conjunction with the Learning & Capability team (Human Resources), an Awareness Module for all staff and students. Login to myUNSW/Staff Profile/Learning & Development and search for 'MIRT' to access this short awareness program (15-20 mins) to ensure you're up to date on what we may ask you to do in the event of an emergency or incident. It will be available to you in Moodle 24 hours after your request.
In addition to the Awareness Training, BCR operates an extensive Exercise and Testing Program. This program includes:
- Developing the capability of our incident and recovery teams through participation in scenario-based exercises.
- Ensuring component testing is undertaken (e.g., facilities, generators and IT Disaster Recovery Testing).
- Undertaking end-to-end exercises (building shutdown).
- Technical testing of critical processes/functions.
If you would like your team to develop their business continuity capability or improve their awareness please email: risk@unsw.edu.au
Contact
Steven Chan
Risk & Resilience Manager
T: + 61 (2) 9348 1623
E: steven.f.chan@unsw.edu.au