The ISO 22301 standard is the international framework for Business Continuity Management Systems (BCMS). It provides a structured approach that enables organizations to identify critical functions, prepare for potential disruption scenarios, and ensure they can continue operating—even under adverse conditions. 

No organization is immune to disruption. Cyberattacks, natural disasters, infrastructure failures, power outages, data center incidents, supply chain crises, or even pandemics can paralyze critical operations and threaten the viability of a business within hours. 

ISO 22301 certification is especially important for organizations that want to protect their reputation, reduce the risk of financial losses, and demonstrate to customers, partners, and regulators that they have a mature and effective crisis management system. As an accredited certification body, Q-CERT supports organizations in Greece and abroad in implementing and certifying a functional BCMS in accordance with ISO 22301. 

What Is ISO 22301 and Why It Matters 

ISO 22301:2019 is the international standard that specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving a Business Continuity Management System (BCMS). It replaced the British BS 25999 standard and is now the global benchmark for business continuity. 

ISO 22301 is a key component of a comprehensive risk management framework, alongside standards such as ISO 27001 for Information Security. The standard includes 11 sections, of which 7 are mandatory, covering context, leadership, planning, support, operation, performance evaluation, and improvement. 

By achieving ISO 22301 certification, an organization demonstrates that it has adopted internationally recognized practices for protecting critical functions and enhancing its ability to respond to and recover from major disruptions. 

The Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) and Its Role in ISO 22301 

A BCMS is not just a set of documents on a shelf. It is a living, integrated system that defines policies, processes, roles, and resources to ensure that the organization can maintain critical activities during a disruption. 

A fundamental element of any BCMS is the Business Impact Analysis (BIA). Through the BIA, the organization identifies true critical functions, defines the Maximum Acceptable Outage (MAO), maps dependencies (suppliers, IT systems, human resources, facilities), and determines the minimum operational levels that must be preserved. 

The BCMS also includes a risk assessment that examines threats to business continuity—from natural disasters and cyberattacks to supply chain failures. The organization must understand its internal and external context, as well as the needs and expectations of stakeholders (customers, regulators, partners, staff). 

Top management commitment and adequate resource allocation are essential. Without leadership involvement, the BCMS remains theoretical. ISO 22301 requires a clear BCMS policy, defined objectives, and regular management reviews. 

Finally, the BCMS includes response and recovery procedures, with Business Continuity Plans (BCPs), crisis management teams, communication strategies, and mechanisms to return to normal operations. 

Benefits of ISO 22301 Certification for Organizations 

ISO 22301 certification is not only about compliance. It offers concrete, measurable benefits: 

  • Enhanced operational resilience: Better preparedness for unexpected disruptions. 
  • Reduced impact of incidents: Natural disasters, cyberattacks, system failures, or human errors cause less operational downtime. 
  • Reputation and trust protection: The ability to continue services during a crisis builds trust with customers, partners, investors, and authorities. 
  • Competitive advantage: In tenders, contracts, and B2B agreements, ISO 22301 certification is a strong differentiator. 
  • Regulatory compliance: In sectors like finance, telecommunications, and energy, structured continuity plans are often required or strongly recommended. 
  • Reduced dependency on key individuals: Processes are documented and do not rely solely on a few people. 
  • Lower insurance and operational costs: Effective risk and downtime management may lead to reduced losses and, in some cases, more favorable insurance terms. 

ISO 22301 Implementation Process 

Implementing ISO 22301 requires a systematic approach and strong management commitment. Key steps include: 

  • Leadership commitment & framework definition: Appointment of BCMS roles/teams, definition of scope, and understanding of regulatory requirements. 
  • BCMS policy & continuity objectives: Establishment of a continuity policy and measurable objectives (recovery times, service levels). 
  • Risk assessment & Business Impact Analysis (BIA): Systematic analysis of risks and impacts for critical functions and dependencies. 
  • Continuity strategies & BCP development: Creation of recovery strategies (alternate sites, backup systems, remote work, etc.) and full Business Continuity Plans. 
  • Communication & stakeholders: Defining communication channels for customers, staff, authorities, and partners during crises. 
  • Training & awareness: Staff training, exercises, and testing of plans to ensure preparedness. 
  • BCMS documentation: Development and maintenance of required policies, procedures, plans, registers, and records. 
  • Internal audit & management review: Evaluation and correction of gaps before certification. 
  • Continual improvement: Handling nonconformities, corrective actions, and plan updates. 

ISO 22301 Certification Process in Greece with Q-CERT 

ISO 22301 certification in Greece follows internationally recognized steps and is performed by accredited bodies such as Q-CERT: 

  1. Selection of certification body 
    Q-CERT provides expertise in BCMS and related standards (e.g., ISO 27001). 
  2. Optional gap analysis 
    Preliminary assessment to identify gaps and create an implementation plan. 
  3. Application & agreement 
    Submission of required information and issuance of a tailored offer. 
  4. Certification Audit – Stage 1 
    Review of BCMS documentation (policies, BIA, risk assessment, BCPs, test records, internal audits, etc.). 
  5. Certification Audit – Stage 2 
    On-site assessment of implementation: interviews, sampling of processes, evaluation of staff understanding, and verification of real-world readiness. 
  6. Corrective actions 
    If findings are reported, the organization submits actions and evidence. 
  7. Certificate issuance 
    Upon conformity, a 3-year ISO 22301 certificate is issued. 
  8. Annual surveillance audits 
    Ensures ongoing compliance. 
  9. Re-certification 
    Full assessment every 3 years. 

Typical implementation and certification time for SMEs is 3–6 months, and up to 12 months for larger organizations. Certification cost depends on size, number of sites, and BCMS scope, and is provided through a tailored Q-CERT proposal. 

ISO 22301 and Relationship with Other Standards 

ISO 22301 follows the High Level Structure (HLS), shared with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 27001. This makes it easy to integrate into a unified management system with shared processes for risk management, documentation, internal audits, and management review. 

In organizations with an ISMS (ISO 27001), ISO 22301 complements it by expanding focus from information security to full business continuity. A BCMS also indirectly supports GDPR compliance by reinforcing data availability and integrity during incidents. 

Unlike isolated Disaster Recovery Plans (DRPs), ISO 22301 covers the entire continuity ecosystem: people, processes, facilities, suppliers, IT, and stakeholder communication. 

Maintaining & Continually Improving the BCMS 

ISO 22301 certification is not a one-time effort. The BCMS must remain active and up to date, reflecting changes in the organization and its environment. 

Plans must be updated regularly—especially when critical infrastructure, technologies, organizational structures, or suppliers change. 

Maintenance activities include: annual tests and exercises, staff training, internal audits, management reviews, and continuous evaluation of emerging risks such as new cyber threats or supply chain disruptions. 

Which Organizations Need ISO 22301 Certification? 

ISO 22301 is applicable to any organization, but it is especially critical for those where operational disruption would have major financial, social, or regulatory consequences. 

Organizations that particularly benefit include: 

  • Financial institutions and banks.
  • Public sector organizations and local authorities.
  • IT companies, data centers, and cloud service providers.
  • Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare organizations.
  • Telecommunications companies and critical infrastructure providers.
  • Logistics, transport, warehousing, and manufacturing organizations.
  • Service providers supporting critical customer operations (outsourcing, BPO, managed services).

Even smaller businesses that depend heavily on technology or uninterrupted service delivery can gain significant value from implementing a BCMS. 

Conclusion 

ISO 22301 certification is one of the most important tools for strengthening organizational resilience and protecting reputation. In a world where disruptions are the norm rather than the exception, a structured BCMS is not a luxury—it is a prerequisite for sustainability. 

With strong experience in risk and security standards, Q-CERT provides a reliable and transparent ISO 22301 certification process tailored to the needs of each organization. From the initial assessment to certification and annual surveillance audits, we support you with professionalism and technical expertise. 

If you want to enhance your business continuity and earn the trust of your stakeholders, contact Q-CERT for a customized offer and begin your journey toward ISO 22301 certification. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ISO 22301 Certification 

The cost depends on the size of the organization, the number of sites, the scope, and the complexity of operations. Q-CERT provides tailored quotations after a brief assessment of your organization’s key characteristics.

For small and medium-sized organizations, implementation and certification can typically be completed within 3–6 months. For larger organizations, the process may take up to 12 months, depending on readiness and complexity.

Organizations for which operational disruption has significant financial or social impact benefit the most—such as banks, public sector bodies, data centers, telecommunications providers, hospitals, and logistics companies.

A DRP focuses mainly on restoring IT systems. ISO 22301 covers the entire business continuity ecosystem—people, processes, facilities, suppliers, and communication—and requires systematic management, testing, and continual improvement.

If nonconformities are found, Q-CERT’s audit team issues a detailed report describing the findings. The organization must implement corrective actions within an agreed timeframe and submit evidence. Once the actions are successfully evaluated, the certification process proceeds normally.

Why Q-CERT 

Q-CERT employs specialized auditors with strong expertise in compliance, corporate governance, and risk management, delivering certification services that are both reliable and practically oriented. We combine international know-how with a deep understanding of the Greek market, offering flexible solutions tailored to the needs of both SMEs and large organizations. 

Contact Q-CERT to request a personalized proposal and learn how we can support your ISO 22301 certification journey. 

Audit Information & ExpectationsApplication Form
F-2108F-2503, Annex J