In April 2024, AT&T experienced a massive data breach, exposing customers' call and text records. In November, Blue Yonder was hit by a ransomware attack, disrupting operations for several retailers. Additionally, the US faced over five hurricanes, with Hurricane Helene devastating the southeastern region, claiming over 110.
These incidents highlight the critical need for robust business continuity management (BCM) tools to ensure organizational resilience when exposed to massive disruptions.
Effective BCM tools enable companies to anticipate risks, maintain operations during disruptions, and safeguard critical assets.
Let’s explore the top 8 business continuity management tools that handle unique challenges and empower organizations to navigate critical disruptions.
Effective business continuity management tools
Besides rising cyber incidents and natural disasters, the shift to remote and hybrid work has increased the demand for robust business continuity solutions.
North America is projected to account for 30.8% of the global BCM solutions market in 2024, with the United States alone generating approximately US$ 138 million.
The U.S. market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 17.3% through 2034, emphasizing risk management and regulatory compliance in critical sectors like finance and healthcare.
Now, let’s go over the top business continuity management solutions you can consider:
1. Rocket.Chat
Rocket.Chat is an open-source communication platform for secure and customizable collaboration.
Trusted by over 12 million users worldwide, including the US Navy and the Department of Defense, it’s suited for privacy-focused sectors such as government, healthcare, and enterprises to innovate your emergency preparedness playbook.
Key features
- Secure collaboration: Facilitates communication within classified networks like NIPRNet and SIPR. Ensure your sensitive data remains protected during high-pressure scenarios.
- Advanced access control: Offers 180+ role-based permissions to control access to information and enhance organizational security.
- Flexible deployment options: Deploy on the cloud, on-premises, or in air-gapped environments while gaining full control over your data.
- Integration and scalability: Integrates with over 50 apps, including existing BCM processes. Manage large user volumes while reducing infrastructure costs and minimizing downtime.
- Omnichannel integration: Streamlines communication by integrating channels like WhatsApp, SMS, email, and Live Chat.
- Customization and branding: The platform offers white-labeling and open-source flexibility under the MIT License. Customize it to your unique business needs.
Best for
Rocket.Chat is ideal for organizations requiring a secure, customizable communication platform to support business continuity management. You can effectively handle cybersecurity incidents and coordinate across distributed teams.
2. Fusion Framework System
Fusion Framework is a comprehensive platform that integrates business continuity management, risk management, and operational resilience. It helps enterprises simplify complex operations and respond effectively to crises with agility and confidence.
Key features
- Operational resilience framework: Map critical processes, monitor progress, and enhance organizational resilience with a data-driven approach tailored to your business needs.
- Risk management: Gain real-time insights to identify, assess, and mitigate risks across your operations.
- Scenario simulation and testing: Conduct scenario rehearsals to assess potential disruptions and improve response strategies.
- Automation: Automatically collect data for business impact analysis and generate reports.
- Integrated data visibility: Unite all departments with a single view of organizational operations and align your decision-making.
- Customization and reporting: The system is highly customizable, with advanced reporting functionalities that provide detailed insights.
Best for
Large enterprises with complex risk management and operational resilience needs. Fusion Framework unifies business continuity, risk management, and incident response into one agile and comprehensive platform.
3. Everbridge
Everbridge is a trusted critical event management platform. It empowers organizations to respond swiftly during emergencies and minimize disruptions.
Key features
- Mass notification: Deliver alerts across multiple channels, including SMS, email, mobile app notifications, and digital signage.
- Automated alerts and templates: Predefined templates help minimize errors and speed up communication during critical events.
- Safety: Locate employees in real time and send updates based on their location.
- Integrated risk intelligence: Visualize and monitor potential risks. Make quick decisions to prevent risks.
- Incident management: Coordinate responses and track progress on the go.
- Global reach: The platform supports multilingual messaging and geo-targeted alerts, making it ideal for large-scale mass notifications to employees, partners, and clients.
Best for
Businesses and institutions requiring a dedicated tool for rapid, targeted communication during crises.
4. ServiceNow
ServiceNow's BCM module is integrated within its comprehensive platform and empowers organizations to effectively plan, exercise, and recover from disruptions. Unifying BCM with IT Service Management streamlines continuity planning and enhances operational resilience.
Key features
- Unified platform: Harmonize business continuity, disaster recovery, and crisis management within one platform, ensuring seamless integration across functions.
- Scenario testing: Test scenarios to evaluate preparedness, ensure plans are effective, and confirm readiness for potential disruptions.
- Real-time risk monitoring: Monitor and manage evolving risks with real-time data.
- Crisis response: Activate continuity plans while managing recovery efforts during crises.
Best for
Enterprises already utilizing ServiceNow's ecosystem, aiming to integrate business continuity management with IT Service Management for streamlined and cohesive continuity planning.
5. OnSolve
OnSolve combines AI-driven risk intelligence with advanced crisis communication tools, enabling organizations to proactively monitor potential threats and coordinate effective responses during critical events.
For example, Wexford County’s Emergency Management Director uses OnSolve’s CodeRED to send geo-targeted alerts directly from his phone, ensuring residents receive real-time updates during severe weather, road closures, and other critical events.
Key features
- AI-powered risk intelligence: Continuously scans and analyzes vast amounts of global data, delivering relevant insights into potential risks.
- Critical communications: Send time-sensitive alerts in any language via multiple channels. Gather feedback through surveys for improved situational awareness.
- Incident management: Streamline incident tracking, coordinate response efforts, and allocate resources within a unified platform.
- Travel risk management: Monitor risks that affect traveling employees and issue timely alerts during emergencies.
- On-call scheduling: Use an integrated calendar to manage on-call personnel, identify available responders, and notify the appropriate individuals during critical situations.
Best for
Organizations of all sizes, including enterprises and government agencies, especially those needing to safeguard dispersed assets and personnel.
6. LogicManager
LogicManager is a robust risk management platform that integrates business continuity management capabilities. It helps organizations identify risks, mitigate disruptions, and ensure compliance.
Key features
- Enterprise risk management: Centralizes risk management efforts by connecting governance, compliance, and risk activities under one platform.
- Business continuity planning: Create, test, and maintain continuity plans to mitigate disruptions.
- Risk ripple analytics: AI-powered insights help uncover hidden risks, identify root causes, and predict ripple effects before they escalate.
- Taxonomy-based risk management: Links risks to their controls, resources, and affected departments for a comprehensive, actionable view.
- Real-time reporting and dashboards: Provides visually interactive dashboards and real-time reporting tools to track risk management activities.
- No-code integrations: Integrate with over 500 third-party applications, including automation tools for regulatory compliance.
Best for
Businesses in regulated industries, like finance and healthcare, that require BCM aligned with risk management and compliance.
7. RecoveryPlanner
RecoveryPlanner, powered by Preparis, is a cloud-based business continuity management (BCM) and disaster recovery platform that simplifies and streamlines planning, response, and compliance.
Key features
- Disaster recovery: Develop recovery strategies to restore IT infrastructure and data access efficiently after a disaster.
- Risk assessment: Identify potential threats, track vulnerabilities, and generate actionable reports for IT, operational, and third-party risks.
- Business impact analysis: Streamline data collection to prioritize processes, evaluate interdependencies, and establish effective recovery strategies.
- Vendor management: Assess third-party risks and integrate vendor data into BIAs and recovery plans for operational resilience.
- Customizable and scalable: Tailor the platform to your organization’s unique needs.
Best for
Small to mid-sized businesses looking for a comprehensive yet accessible BCM platform to streamline crisis planning, enhance resilience, and ensure regulatory compliance.
8. Riskonnect
Riskonnect provides a robust business continuity and resilience software suite. It provides end-to-end BCM solutions, helping organizations balance risk tolerance with operational resilience.
Key features
- Risk and resilience integration: Integrates business continuity management with broader risk management practices, providing a unified view of operational risks.
- Crisis and incident management: Provides tools for managing incidents with real-time data and dashboards.
- Tailored guidance: Offers hands-on guidance and consulting to improve resilience strategies and refine business continuity plans.
Best for
Large enterprises needing advanced BCM capabilities, frequent plan testing, and integrated risk management for comprehensive resilience. Unify risk and continuity planning under a single platform.
10 reasons why these tools are essential for modern business continuity management
BCM tools ensure operational resilience and minimize disruptions. According to the Forrester study, 83% of companies conduct risk assessments to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities.
Here are ten key reasons why these tools are indispensable:
1. Real-time risk monitoring
Early detection of risks is critical to prevent disruptions. For example, OnSolve provides AI-driven risk insights, enabling early identification of threats to minimize disruptions.
2. Streamlined communication
Efficient communication ensures clarity during crises. Platforms like Rocket.Chat ensure quick, secure, and reliable communication during emergencies.
3. Automated incident response
Automation accelerates response times and reduces errors. You can automate task assignment and crisis workflows.
4. Enhanced data security
Tools with encrypted messaging apps and risk mitigation features help secure organizational assets across various locations, safeguarding sensitive information from potential breaches.
5. Integrated disaster recovery
Rapid recovery minimizes operational downtime. RecoveryPlanner ensures IT systems and operations are restored quickly during disasters.
6. Compliance support
These tools ensure BCM activities meet regulatory requirements and industry standards, reducing compliance risks. Notably, only 38% of organizations apply lessons from past crises to enhance risk management, highlighting the need for robust compliance support.
7. Improved decision-making with data analytics
With advanced data visualization and analysis, you can assess impacts and strategize effectively.
8. Customizable to specific needs
Does your organization require specific workflows, unique reporting formats, or tailored risk assessments? BCM tools offer configurable dashboards and adaptable solutions. Pick the right tool to reduce costs and streamline operations.
9. Cost savings through proactive risk management
Proactive planning addresses potential threats before they escalate. For example, Cantey Technology, an IT company, avoided client service interruptions during a fire incident by moving its client servers to a remote data center with continual backups as part of their continuity plan.
10. Support for remote and hybrid workforce
Seamless collaboration ensures continuity for dispersed teams. Tools like Rocket.Chat enables efficient communication for remote and hybrid workforces, maintaining operational flow.
Additionally, the Forrester study found that 82% of companies rely on remote access as a primary strategy to support workforce continuity effectively.
Final note
Building resilience in today’s volatile business environment requires the right business continuity management tools. Then, you can swiftly address disruptions even during unexpected situations.
Evaluate your business needs and choose a suitable tool that is flexible and customizable. Among BCM tools, Rocket.Chat is an ideal choice for organizations that prioritize secure and adaptable communication. It integrates with BCM strategies and is scalable for enterprises and governments.
Reach out to our team to learn more.
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