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Continuity of Operations

What is Continuity of Operations?

A federal government initiative ensuring that agencies are able to continue performance of essential functions during emergencies.

Business Continuity

Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as continuity of operations. The number is how many controls name both.

What the standards actually require on continuity of operations

Requirements naming continuity of operations across 6 standards, quoted from the control text.

Maintain continuity and recover operations after a cyber incident, including for OT-dependent energy functions.

AESCSF-IR-3 · Continuity of operations and recovery
C2M21 control

RESPONSE domain. Establish and maintain continuity of operations plans to sustain or restore the function's operations following a cybersecurity incident or disruption.

RESPONSE-3 · Plan for Continuity of Operations

Develop continuity plans for critical functions that include recovery strategies, alternate sites, and workforce continuity.

NFPA1600-10 · Continuity of Operations Plan

Alternate Communications Protocols. Provide the capability to employ [organization-defined] in support of maintaining continuity of operations

NIST800-CP-11 · Alternate Communications Protocols. Provide the capability to employ [organization-defined] in support of maintaining continuity of operations

The FAA Cybersecurity Strategy (updated 2022 + ongoing 2024 update) sets the FAA-wide policy framework for cybersecurity across the aviation system.

FAA-CSA-Governance · FAA Cybersecurity Strategy, Governance and Order 1370.123A
FISMA1 control

44 USC 3554 - Federal Agency Responsibilities. EACH AGENCY HEAD must: (a) ensure compliance with FISMA + with policies + procedures + standards developed by OMB + CISA + NIST + CNSS;

FISMA-3554-Agency-Responsibilities · Federal Agency Responsibilities (44 USC 3554) - CIO + CISO + Program + Reporting

Questions people ask about continuity of operations

What is Continuity of Operations?
A federal government initiative ensuring that agencies are able to continue performance of essential functions during emergencies.
Why is Continuity of Operations important for compliance?
Continuity of Operations is a key concept in Business Continuity. Understanding continuity of operations helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Continuity of Operations?
Continuity of Operations appears in the requirement text of Australian Energy Sector Cyber Security Framework (AESCSF), C2M2, NFPA 1600 - Standard on Continuity, Emergency, and Crisis Management, NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5, FAA Cybersecurity Framework for Aviation. Across these standards we have identified 6 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Continuity of Operations?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how continuity of operations applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 686 frameworks.

See how Continuity of Operations applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.