Cybersecurity & Business Continuity
In today’s digital-first world, cyberattacks are no longer hypothetical threats — they’re business-critical risks. A well-designed business continuity plan (BCP) is no longer optional; it’s a lifeline. Recent high-profile cybersecurity incidents show just how disruptive—and costly—a cyber breach can be. For businesses of all sizes, having a robust continuity strategy tied to cyber resilience is essential.
According to the UK Government’s Cyber Security Breaches Survey, in 2025 32% of businesses report having a business continuity plan that explicitly covers cyber-security — up from previous years, but still leaving many exposed. This statistic underlines a worrying gap: too few companies are preparing for cyber risks in a holistic, continuity-focused way.
Here are three recent cyber incidents that highlight exactly why a business continuity plan must incorporate cyber-resilience:
6 ways a BCP can help during an Cyber incident
- Minimises downtime
- Protects revenue
- Strengthens incident response
- Enhances communication
- Safeguards data integrity
- Preserves customer trust
Why Business Continuity Planning Matters More Than Ever
Let’s break down why a business continuity plan that explicitly integrates cyber risk is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s existential.
Operational resilience
Cyberattacks don’t just leak data — they can bring critical systems to a halt, from e-commerce platforms (M&S) to manufacturing lines (JLR) to media delivery (Lee Enterprises). A BCP allows a company to plan fallback processes, backup environments, and rapid recovery steps.Financial protection
The direct and indirect costs of a breach are huge. There are repair costs, legal and regulatory costs, reputational damage, and lost revenue. As seen with M&S, a cyber incident can sharply dent profitability and market value.Stakeholder trust
Customers, partners, and investors need assurance that the business can survive a cyber event. Demonstrating a tested continuity plan bolsters confidence, especially in regulated or high-risk sectors.Supply chain stability
In our interconnected world, one compromised partner can create a domino effect. JLR’s attack impacted not just its factories but its entire supply chain. A continuity plan can help map dependencies, identify risks, and plan for supplier disruption.Regulatory and compliance readiness
Many regulations and standards now expect firms to not only have cybersecurity measures, but also business continuity measures that cover cyber risk. Failing to plan could lead to non-compliance or heavier penalties post-incident.
What a Cyber-Aware Business Continuity Plan Should Include
To be effective in today’s threat environment, a BCP should:
Identify critical systems and data (not just physical infrastructure).
Define recovery time objectives (RTOs) and recovery point objectives (RPOs) for cyber scenarios.
Include cyber incident response protocols — how to detect, contain, eradicate, and recover.
Maintain backups, ideally immutable, geographically dispersed.
Incorporate alternative manual or semi-manual workflows for business-critical functions.
Plan for communication — internal (staff), external (customers, regulators), and technical (IT teams).
Test regularly via tabletop exercises, cyber drills, and live simulations.
Engage third-party suppliers and vendors: ensure they too have continuity plans and understand their role in recovery.
Conclusion: A Strategic Imperative, Not a Technical Afterthought
Recent cyberattacks make the case crystal clear: businesses can’t afford to treat cyber as just an IT issue. When a ransomware group cripples your systems or a hack disrupts production lines, the fallout is more than technical — it’s operational, financial, and reputational.
A business continuity plan that integrates cyber risk is no longer a luxury. It’s a fundamental part of a resilient business strategy. For companies that want to not only survive but thrive in an uncertain digital world, investing in continuity is not just smart — it’s mission-critical.
