CERTIFICATION IN BUSINESS CONTINUITY By Walter G. Green III, Ph.D., CRP

Transcription

1 CERTIFICATION IN BUSINESS CONTINUITY By Walter G. Green III, Ph.D., CRP A Program White Paper. April Copyright 2002 by Walter G. Green III. All rights reserved. A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF CERTIFICATION Although this presentation uses the word certification as the basis for discussion, it is important to point out that not all of the programs discussed are actually certification programs. Because one program uses the traditional British society model of levels of membership, a more accurate term might be credentialing, in that both the five certification programs and the one membership program offer a business continuity credential to their participants. What Is? One of the great difficulties in administering a business continuity certification process is the difficulty in defining what business continuity actually is. How you view business continuity to a very large degree determines how you certify business continuity professionals. Such questions as where business continuity belongs in a business, what its contribution to business strategy and processes, and whether it is a technical or managerial function all shape certification philosophies. The Explosion of Certification Certification as a means of credentialing dates to the 1920s. However, the modern expansion of certification as an industry dates to the 1960s, with more than 78% of the certification programs available today having been founded in the last 40 years, with steady and relatively consistent growth each decade. Directories such as Barnhart s (1997) and Martinez s (2001) list hundreds of general and information technology certifications although I am not aware of a complete census, I would estimate that over 700 reasonably accepted certifications exist varying from handfuls of certificate holders to in the vicinity of 70,000 (Green 1999). What Does Certification Mean? In generally accepted usage certification is an independent evaluation of knowledge and skills that the certifying body has determined to be important to a form of activity. At the same time certification has some specific features that are of benefit to anyone who holds a certification. Independent verification of knowledge means that certification is not tied to a specific job or specific employer. The knowledge and skills involved are applicable industry wide (even if the certification itself is very narrow in scope). 1

2 Certification offers employers or potential employers assurance that job experience, training, and education have prepared you to perform at a specific level. Certification may offer corporate or personal marketing advantages and may demonstrate due regard by a business. Certification tied to continuing professional development offers some assurance that your skills are current. Certification is portable. You may take it with you wherever you go. Certification represents either a significant investment (if you pay the fees) or a significant benefit (if your employer pays the fees). Certification programs are not inexpensive, and maintaining certification is both expensive and time consuming. The Perils and Pitfalls Choice of certification is a highly personal process, based on your values, your career plan, and your assessment of the industry. Based on experience in other industries, you should consider the following factors when you make a certification program selection. Never earn a certification that you cannot backup with job performance. You may be able to get through the certification process (the interesting phenomenon of certification tests that are easier for people with little skill and experience than for experienced practitioners to pass is not unheard of). But if you cannot perform at the level of the certification when you are hired, your future is limited. Know the reputation of the certification and the organization that provides it not just the buzz at your level, but more importantly what senior management in your company thinks of it. Look for certifications that provide value added beyond being able to say you are one. Does the credential help you understand your skills and development needs? Match the philosophy of the certification with your view of the industry. At least two of the current certification programs view business continuity as a business strategy component. If you think of business continuity as only part of information technology, these may not be your best choices. More may or may not be better. We now routinely see people with a long string of letters behind their name. That string means a significant cost in maintaining currency in the varied requirements. At some point employers will start to ask what those all mean and whether you can actually do all of the skills. 2

3 THE MODELS OF BUSINESS CONTINUITY CERTIFICATION Today six programs provide professional credentialing for business continuity Practitioners. Each program has a unique model with significant differences in its approach. The following tables (Tables 1 through 8), drawn in composite from the references provided at the end of the paper, provide an overview of the various structural elements. However, the program models merit their own discussion: Membership Organization Model The, headquartered in the United Kingdom, with members in North America and Europe, is a membership organization. In keeping with the model common to British professional societies, members are admitted based on their experience and accomplishments, and, as part of their professional development, progress to higher grades within the society. This model is closely linked to the current ten elements of the Common Body of Knowledge. Web site Professional Development Model The University of Richmond s certification program is based on personal self-assessment, open book testing, and case studies to provide a framework for knowledge and capability assessment and professional development planning. This model is based on a set of 19 competencies for business continuity professionals and is structured to encourage career progression. Web site - Education and Testing Model The Disaster International incorporates the delivery of educational courses, including specific certification preparatory courses, with certification based on testing and experience. Although DRII course attendance is not required for testing, over 12,000 individuals have completed DRII courses. This model is closely linked to the current ten elements of the Common Body of Knowledge. Web site Course Completion Model The of Education, affiliated with Global, basis certification on completion of a series of course modules that follow a definition of business continuity as a system activity. There is no overall end of training examination. Web site Proprietary Method Model MLC & Associates, Inc. bases certification on completion of three in-depth courses based on their proprietary model of business continuity and the use of specific software. There is a strong focus on upgrading professional standards. Web site Commercial Testing Model Brainbench, a commercial vendor of online testing offering over 350 certifications, with an information technology concentration, offers disaster recovery certification on the same model as their other certifications - log on, take a computer adaptive test, be certified. Web site 3

4 Table 1. Program Credential Elements Disaster International of Education MLC and Associates, Inc. Established Entry Level Planning Associate (RPA) Associate of the Associate Associate Professional (ACP) Fully Qualified Level Senior Level Master Practitioner Level (CRP) Senior (SRP) Master (MRP) (ABCI) Member of the (MBCI) (ABCP) Professional (CBCP) Professional (CCP) Program Developer (CCPD) Fellow of the (FBCI) Master Professional (MBCP) Note: The Professional certification will not be offered until

5 Table 2. Requirements Experience Service Credentialing Process RPA less than 2 years none self assessment; test 1 terminology and principles; test 2 processes and project management CRP minimum of 2 years SRP minimum of 6 years MRP minimum of 6 years none 4 years as CRP none self assessment; test 1 terminology and principles; test 2 processes and project management; test 3 program management and strategy; continuity plan case study self assessment at each 2 year renewal; either case study, major project, or current developments examination at each 2 year renewal documented self assessment; test 1 terminology and principles; test 2 processes and project management; test 3 program management and strategy; plan case study; program management case study; interview ABCI full-time or part time experience none scored assessment of documentation and narrative MBCI minimum of 2 years none scored assessment of documentation and narrative FBCI minimum of 5 years 2 years as MBCI scored assessment of documentation and narrative; structured interview ABCP less than 2 years none complete certification examination with minimum score of 75 CBCP minimum of 2 years none MBCP minimum of 5 years none document experience in 3 of 10 areas of common body of knowledge; complete certification examination with minimum score of 75 document experience in 7 of 10 areas of common body of knowledge; complete certification examination with minimum score of 85; case study or directed research project ACP none none complete 6 online courses, each of approximately 8 hours duration CCP none none complete all courses required for ACP plus 3 additional courses CCPD not addressed none complete 3 courses of 16 weeks duration online Note: The service requirement indicates that participation in the credentialing process is required for some period before the level of credential is awarded. 5

6 Table 3. Testing The Common Body of Knowledge Written Test yes open book - also tests other factors listed in the current CRP 19 competencies Demonstration of Experience Interview yes but intended primarily to assist certificate holder in self-assessment and career planning yes at Master level no yes assessed through narrative submission all 10 areas required at different levels of mastery for Member and Fellow levels yes at Fellow level Disaster International yes yes assessed through narrative submission 3 areas required for CBCP, 7 areas required for MBCP no 6

7 Required Courses Examination Preparatory Courses Foundation Courses Advanced Courses Table 4. Available Training Disaster International of Education none none none 6 modules for ACP 3 modules for CCP none none DRP-501 Planning Review $1095 DRP-601 Master Case Study Review $795 (Undergraduate Academic Certificate) (Graduate Academic Certificate) none none DRP-111 through DRP- 114 $795 each DRP-210 through DRP- 215 $795 each MLC and Associates, Inc. 3 courses Notes: The University of Richmond does not teach courses designed to fit directly with certification. However, they will offer an 18 semester hour undergraduate Planning Specialist Certificate starting in August 2002, and currently offer an 18 semester Hour Graduate Certificate in Disaster Science. Required course costs for of Education and MLC and Associates, Inc., courses are reflected in the table of certification costs. 7

8 Table 5. Certification Program Fees Fully Qualified Credential Disaster International of Education MLC and Associates, Inc. Course Fees ACP: $1275 $6,475 CCP: $975 Examination $300 $ Fees Application 0 $72 $ Fees Membership 0 $ Fees Total Cost $300 $205 $350 $2,250 $6,475 Notes: Costs for The are based on February 14, 2002 exchange rates billed costs are 50 Pounds Sterling and 93 Pounds Sterling respectively. of Education course prices quoted are based on package pricing for the entire program. MLC and Associates, Inc. pricing includes required software. Table 6. Numbers Disaster International of Education MLC and Associates, Inc. Entry Level 0 ABCI 165 not reported confidential Fully Qualified Level CRP 117 MBCI 480 CBCP CCP is not yet available CCPD 8 Senior Level Master Practitioner Level 0 0 FBCI 115 MBCP 40+ Note: Zero values under recovery reflect that these certification levels were established on February 1st. 8

9 Table 7. Continuing Professional Development Period 2 years under consideration System selfassessment; under consideration either case study, significant project, or current issues examination Fees $100 $133 (annual membership fee) Disaster International of Education MLC and Associates, Inc. 2 years N/A N/A 80 continuing education points required from conferences, training courses, participation in tests and disasters, publications, etc. ABCP: $100 ($50 per year) CBCP: $200 ($100 per year) MBCP: $400 ($200 per year) N/A N/A N/A N/A Table 8. Brainbench Disaster and Planning Certification Introduced 2001 Certification Levels Master Method of Certification Online 40 question test Requirements Master score 4.0 on a scale of 1.0 to 5.0 score 2.75 Number more than 500 Cost $49.95 for 3 year certification 9

10 PREPARING FOR CERTIFICATION What Does Certification Examine? To understand how to prepare for a credentialing process you have to understand what the process purports to evaluate. There are two published examples of certification content. The Common Body of Knowledge Both the and the Disaster International base their credentialing process on a ten element common body of knowledge, defined in a cooperative process between the two organizations, and reflected in Table 9. Competencies The program has just completed the development of a competency-based model as the foundation for its revised examination program. The identified competencies are listed in Table 10. The Do You Offer A Course Phenomenon One of the more interesting experiences we have had in offering a certification program is the drumbeat of requests we receive to provide a course to prepare business continuity professionals to take our certification examination. It is obvious that the model of take a preparatory course followed by the examination on the last day of the course is a standard model that practitioners have come to accept as the true way. That leads to the obvious question as to why business continuity practitioners doubt their ability to take and pass a professional examination based on their working knowledge and experience. GETTING VALUE FOR MONEY Protecting and Using Your Certification Certification costs money like any other investment you should take steps to protect it. In all fields, it is surprising the number of certified individuals who do not do the simple things required to ensure they get full value for their money. One of the most basic issues we have encountered is failing to notify the certifying agency when you move. The use of business addresses and business s in times of turbulence means that you must notify the certifying agency when you change jobs, when your company changes its e- mail address, when you change personal Internet service provider, etc. One of the most powerful tools offered by certifiers is the use of the appellation. Keep your certifications updated on your business card and personal web site and letterhead. Ensure that your current certifications are listed on your resume. Where appropriate for 10

11 Table 9. Summary of Key Elements of the Common Body of Knowledge 1. Project Initiation and Management - establish the need for a Plan, obtain management support and managing the project. 2. Risk Evaluation and Control - determine events and environmental surroundings that can result in disruptions or disasters, the damage from such events, and controls needed to prevent or minimize loss. 3. Impact Analysis - identify impacts that can affect the organization and techniques to quantify and qualify such impacts. Establish critical functions, their recovery priorities, and inter-dependencies. 4. Developing Strategies - guide the selection of alternative business recovery operating strategies. 5. Emergency Response and Operations - implement procedures for responding to and stabilizing an incident, including establishing and managing a command center during the emergency. 6. Developing and Implementing Plans - develop and implement the Plan that provides recovery within the recovery time objective. 7. Awareness and Training Programs - prepare a program to create corporate awareness and the skills to develop, implement, maintain, and execute the Plan. 8. Maintaining and Exercising Plans - to coordinate exercises and evaluate and document exercise results. Develop processes to maintain the currency of continuity capabilities and the plan. Verify the Plan will prove effective, and report results in a clear and concise manner. 9. Public Relations and Crisis Coordination - develop and exercise plans to handle the media, communicate with and, as appropriate, provide trauma counseling for employees and their families, key customers, critical suppliers, owners/stockholders, and corporate management, and ensure all stakeholders are kept informed as needed. 10. Coordination With Public Authorities - establish applicable procedures for coordinating continuity and restoration with local authorities while complying with statutes or regulations. Source: The, The Ten Certification Standards For Practitioners, Available at: standards.html. Accessed November 24,

12 Table 10. Competencies 1. Advocate business continuity as a core strategic element of an organization s business. In this context, understand organizational mission, values, vision, and strategy. 2. Establish, organize, budget for, and manage the organizational business continuity function as a permanent business unit. As required, establish and manage significant business continuity projects as an activity of the function. 3. Identify and describe organizational systems and business processes. 4. Assess natural, technological, and security hazards and identify threats to the organization. 5. Conduct a business impact analysis. 6. Assure compliance of business continuity activity with applicable laws, regulations, and voluntary compliance standards. 7. Identify strategies for the preservation of organizational assets and capabilities prior to, during the impact of, and after a business disaster and coordinate the selection of the most appropriate strategies for the organization and the threats. 8. Identify requirements for and coordinate contractor support for alternate facilities and critical services during recovery. 9. Based on threats, impacts, and strategy, plan, organize, and coordinate the development and approval of an organizational business continuity plan. As appropriate write portions of the plan, supporting standard operating procedures, checklists, and resource directories. 10. Coordinate planning with governmental emergency management and public safety and other organization efforts to protect the community from the impacts of disaster. 11. Identify requirements for and support public relations staff in crafting and disseminating appropriate external and internal public information messages in support of emergency operations. 12. Identify requirements for, plan, develop, produce, and deliver general awareness training and specific task training as required to assure the ability of the organization to use the plan and standard procedures to respond appropriately to disasters. 13. Plan, design, and conduct exercises to train in continuity procedures and tests to assess the adequacy of the plan, supporting procedures, facilities, and documentation, and training to meet continuity requirements. 14. Plan, identify, develop, organize, and manage an organizational command center. 15. Direct, manage, coordinate, or support disaster recovery operations. 12

13 16. Maintain plans, standard operating procedures, checklists, and other recovery documents to incorporate lessons learned in actual disasters, tests, and exercises and to assure their currency. 17. Design evaluation criteria and metrics and evaluate the performance of the business recovery program and its components. 18. Design and participate in an appropriate program of personal professional development, including education, training, readings, and certification. As a manager support professional development for the business recovery staff. 19. Participate in the development of the profession. the culture of your part of the industry and authorized by the certification source, use the logo. Use the other features offered by certifiers. Read the newsletter, if for no other reason than to stay abreast of changes in processes and requirements. This avoids nasty surprises and may help to speed up the service you receive. Regularly check program web sites for new information. If a forum is available, use it to exchange information with other practitioners. If a directory is offered, list yourself (you never know when someone might be looking for a new staff member at a salary increase) and your business (a way to advertise and potentially promote strategic alliances). Advertise that you comply with the certification s code of ethics. In a competitive environment, any of these services may provide an edge. Finally, watch for fraud. We are a credentialed society. With the proliferation of credentials it is simple for the unethical to misrepresent their qualifications. If you believe someone is claiming to be certified when they never have been, or no longer are currently, contact the certifier. All certifiers have an interest in protecting the value and reputation of their certificate for the benefit of the people they credential. Recertification and Continuing Professional Development In choosing a certification program it is critical to identify one with continuing professional development requirements that you can meet. Once you are certified, it is equally important that you start to manage your recredentialing/recertification process. This can either be a nightmare hunt for training that meets requirements or the opportunity to identify needs in your own professional development and fill those needs. In large measure the difference between the two perspectives is based on your attitude. Currently there are two models. The model views recertification as a self-development exercise and requires that as part of your certification you develop a plan for the types of activities that will help you further develop as a professional. This plan is evaluated as part of certification, and your successes and lessons learned form part of the recertification process. The Disaster International model is a point-based system, with considerable flexibility in the types of events that earn points, but with restrictions that require a 13

14 distribution of events to meet the biennial 80 point total. Of the two, the model is the broader in what it considers to be professional development, and the Disaster International Model offers the more structured approach. The key to either is to start working as soon as you complete certification in neither case can you meet your objective the last month before your renewal date. REFERENCES Barnhart, Phillip A. The Guide to National Professional Certification Programs. 2nd ed. Amherst, MA: HRD Press, Inc., Brainbench, Inc. Brainbench the measure of achievement. Available at: Accessed February 14, Brainbench, Inc. Disaster and Planning. Available at: Accessed February 14, Brainbench, Inc. Frequently Asked Questions About Brainbench Certifications. Available at: Accessed February 14, Disaster International. Application for Professional Certification in /Disaster Planning. Form. Falls Church, VA: Disaster International, Disaster International. DRI Registration U. S. Courses. Form. Available at: Accessed February 13, Disaster International. Education Program. Available at: Accessed February 13, Disaster International. Professional Certification. Available at: Accessed February 13, Green, Walter G., III. A Study of Core Functions in Emergency Management as Reflected in Training Requirements for Professional Certification. Parkland, FL: Dissertation.com, of Education. ACP Curriculum. Available at: Accessed February 13, of Education. CCP Curriculum. Available at: Accessed February 13, of Education Administrator (ioe@globalcontinuity.com), Professional Association Presentation Information Request, to the author (wgreen@richmond.edu), February 13, Martinez, Anne. Get and Get Ahead. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, MLC & Associates, Inc. Education and Training: Online BC Certification Program. Available at: Accessed February 11, Saracco, Don, President, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, MLC & Associates, Inc., (dsarac@mlc2resq.com), CCPD Certification, to the author (wgreen@richmond.edu), February 13,

15 Saracco, Don, President, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, MLC & Associates, Inc., CCPD Certification, to the author December 20, Sharp, John, Chief Executive Officer, The, BCI, to the author February 8, Sharp, John. The Origins and Current State of the Art In Risk and Management. White paper. Worcester, United Kingdom: The, Taylor, Benny D., President, Disaster International, Certification for the /Disaster Industry, to the author February 8, The BCI Membership Fee Structures. Available at: Accessed February 14, The. About BCI. White paper. Worcester, United Kingdom: The, The. The Ten Certification Standards For Practitioners. Available at: Accessed November 24,