Continuity guide

Business continuity and organizational resilience

Business continuity is one contributor to broader organizational resilience, alongside risk management, leadership, adaptability, culture and other capabilities.

ResilienceISO 22316

Editorial review: August 11, 2026 · Adrian M. Westbridge

Continuity is specific

BCM focuses on sustaining and recovering priority products and services during disruption.

Resilience is broader

ISO 22316 provides guidance on organizational resilience across the life of an organization.

Avoid rebranding everything

Calling every risk activity 'resilience' can blur accountability. Maintain clear methods and interfaces.

Shared learning

Incidents and exercises can improve both continuity plans and wider organizational decision-making.

Business continuity is organization-specific. Recovery priorities, legal duties, safety requirements, contracts, insurance terms and technical recovery methods should be validated by the responsible people in the organization.