BCP Confidential

By Nathaniel Forbes

Blueprints for Business Continuity Planning

Internationally-recognized BCM certifications for BCP professionals

Posted in BCP Confidential by Nathaniel Forbes on 2008/03/07 14:49:31

Here in Asia, many professionals are interested in earning certifications in business continuity and the related fields of emergency management, I.T. disaster recovery and security. I've made a table of certifications in those fields and links to the organizations that offer them.

I've included only certifications from independent, non-profit organizations or their education arms. All of the certifications listed are internationally-recognized, although all of them originate from North America or Europe. I have not included any from private companies that give out certificates (as opposed to certifications) on completion of their programs, although there are many of them and they may be worth your time and money.

Certification	Organization
Member of the Business Continuity Institute (MBCI)	The Business Continuity Institute (The BCI, British)
Certified Business Continuity Planner (CBCP)	Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII, American
Certified Business Resilience Manager CBRM)	Business Resilience Certification Consortium International (BRCCI, Canadian)
Certified Organization Resilience Professional (CORP)	The Int'l Consortium for Organizational Resilience (ICOR)
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)	ISC²
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)	Information Systems Audit & Control Association (ISACA)
Certified Emergency Manager	International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM)
Certified Protection Professional (CPP)	ASIS International (ASIS) formerly American Society for Industrial Security
Associate in Risk Management	Insurance Institute of America

Most of the certifying organizations require hours or days of "contact time" (in-person) training, passing a written examination, some years experience with references and a written application. Some have additional requirements. All charge an application fee for the certification.

It's the application forms that are the real challenge, in my experience. My MBCI application form, listing my experience with dates and references, took about four months to prepare, working after business hours.

I recommend you complete your application before you take an examination. I tried it the other way around with the DRII; I passed their CBCP exam in 1997, but never mustered the will to complete the application form. Now I'd have to take the exam again before applying (exam results are only valid for two years).

The BCI and DRII both offer online examinations, but they must be taken at designated locations with proctors. I took the BCI exam in January in Singapore, although I was already an MBCI, to see what kinds of questions were asked. The BCI and DRII examinations have about 120 multiple-choice questions and take about two (2) hours.

I've not found a certification in crisis management that meets the criteria stated above. I am grateful for suggestions about organizations or programs I've not listed.

Disclaimer:
Views and opinions expressed in this blog are the author's, and do not necessarily represent those of ZDNet Asia.

Talkback 7 comments

Internationally-recognized BCM certifications for BCP professionals
Hello,

I am planning to appear in BCI exam. Can you please tell me what sort of questions come in exam.

Looking forward for response. Please email me @ kashif.hassan@paknet-it.com.au
Posted by Syed Kashif Hassan on Friday, March 21 2008 08:18 AM

Internationally-recognized BCM certifications for BCP professionals
I can't tell you specific questions on the exam, Kashif, because I don't remember them. All of the questions are multiple-choice. All of them are about parts of the BCI Good Practice Guidelines, (web link) Most of the information you need to answer the questions is covered in the BCI's new 5-day course, "Understanding BCM Principles & Good Practices" which is available in several cities in Asia.
Posted by Nathaniel Forbes on Monday, March 24 2008 09:31 AM

Internationally-recognized BCM certifications for BCP professionals
Hi,

I am thinking of taking those exam and get myself certified, but is having the certification worth the money and effort to prepare it? What are the advantages of having you certified? If, let say, I am not a professional in the area.
Posted by Cahyadi on Sunday, March 23 2008 12:56 PM

Internationally-recognized BCM certifications for BCP professionals
I asked myself that very question many times when I was struggling to complete my application. You will find professionals without certification who are just as good at their jobs as those who have certification; I like to think that I was one of the former for many years before I obtained my MBCI. Have a look at the 2007 compensation report from BC Management (web link) that shows that professionals with certification appear to earn more than those without certification.
Posted by Nathaniel Forbes on Monday, March 24 2008 09:29 AM

Internationally-recognized BCM certifications for BCP professionals
Hello,
I was planning to take Certified Continuity Manager(CCM) from National Institute of Business Continuity Management(NIBCM). Since you have not included the same in your list, do you think it is worth it. Please advise.

Thanks
Prateek
Posted by PRATEEK SINHA on Thursday, May 01 2008 06:39 PM

Internationally-recognized BCM certifications for BCP professionals
I did not know of the NI (www.nibcm.com) until I read your question, nor did I know of the CCM credential. I can see the attraction of their offer, as no courses are required and no application form is required to obtain CCM status, just passing the exam. I have no information on which to base an opinion of their credential.
Posted by Nathaniel Forbes on Wednesday, May 14 2008 10:19 PM

Internationally-recognized BCM certifications for BCP professionals
Hi... Thanks for updating the list of institutes that provide certification on Business Conntinuity.
Quick question is about BCM Institute, Singapore (www.bcm-institute.org). They also certify the same sort of certifications.
Have you heard about the institute and the certification about the same.

Request for a quick response.
Regards,
Sudhir
Posted by Sudhir Garg on Friday, May 16 2008 04:11 AM

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About the blogger

Nathaniel Forbes

Nathaniel Forbes is the director of Forbes Calamity Prevention, a Singapore-based consulting firm providing business continuity, crisis management and emergency response advice and training to multinational companies, with a focus on companies with offices in Asia. The firm is 10 years old. FCP's current and past clients include Singapore Exchange Ltd, OCBC Bank, AXA Insurance, The Gillette Company, Siemens and ABN Amro Bank. A former President of the Singapore Computer Society�s Business Continuity Group, Nathaniel passed the DRII�s Certified Business Continuity Planner (CBCP) examination in 1997. He has lived, traveled or worked in Asia since 1973.