An IS auditor learns that an organization's business continuity plan (BCP) has not been updated in the last 18 months and that the organization recently closed a production plant. Which of the following is the auditor's BEST course of action?
An IS auditor learns that an organization's business continuity plan (BCP) has not been updated in the last 18 months and that the organization recently closed a production plant. Which of the following is the auditor's BEST course of action?
The best course of action for the IS auditor is to determine whether the business impact analysis (BIA) is current with the organization's structure and context. The BIA is crucial because it identifies critical business functions, dependencies, and the impact of potential disruptions, which are essential for creating an effective business continuity plan (BCP). Given that the organization has undergone significant changes, such as the closure of a production plant, it is important to ensure that the BIA reflects the current state of the organization. This will help in accurately assessing the impact of the changes on the BCP and making necessary updates.
Updating the BCP is crucial for ensuring that the organization can effectively respond to disruptions and maintain business operations. However, before addressing the BCP directly, the auditor should first assess whether the business impact analysis (BIA) is up to date. The BIA identifies critical business functions, dependencies, and potential impacts of disruptions, which forms the foundation for the BCP. Given that the organization recently closed a production plant, it's important to understand how this change impacts the organization's structure and operations. Therefore, verifying the currency and accuracy of the BIA is the initial step in assessing the organization's readiness to address the closure of the plant and any other potential disruptions.