What is the purpose of a Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in cybersecurity?

A Business Continuity Plan (BCP) in cybersecurity is vital for ensuring that essential business functions can continue during and after a disaster or cyber incident. Its primary purpose is to minimize disruptions caused by unexpected events, such as natural disasters, cyberattacks, or system failures. By having a solid BCP in place, organizations can maintain critical operations, manage resources effectively, and restore services as quickly as possible after an incident occurs.

This involves identifying key business functions and the resources necessary to sustain them, as well as outlining procedures for responding to various types of threats. The focus of a BCP is on resilience and recovery, enabling organizations to mitigate the impact of disruptions and protect their assets, reputation, and stakeholder interests.

In contrast, other options, while related to organizational effectiveness and security, do not capture the core focus of a BCP. Aligning IT operations with business goals pertains more to strategic management than immediate operational continuity. Creating a framework for data governance deals with managing the integrity and security of data rather than overall business functionality during crises. Establishing user authentication processes is crucial for securing systems but does not directly address how a business continues to operate during interruptions.