DRJ Glossary of Business Continuity Terms

Activation

The implementation of business continuity procedures, activities and plans in response to a business continuity emergency, event, incident and/or crisis; the execution of the recovery plan.

Activity

A process or set of processes undertaken by an organization (or on its behalf) that produces or supports one or more products and services.

Adaptive Business Continuity (Adaptive BC)

An approach to continuously improve an organization's recovery capabilities, with a focus on the continued delivery of services following an unexpected unavailbility of people and/or resources. Adaptive BC is unique in that it focuses on capabilities vs. using the traditional Business Impact Analyses and Risk Assessments.

Aerosolized

A fine spray or colloidal suspension of tiny particles in the air. Aerosolized transmission is Person-to-person transmission of pathogens through the air by means of inhalation of infectious particles.

Alert

Notification that a potential disruption is imminent or has occurred.

Alternate Routing

The routing of information via an alternate cable or other medium (i.e. using different networks should the normal network be rendered unavailable).

Alternate Site

A site held in readiness for use during/following an invocation of business or disaster recovery plans to continue urgent and important activities of an organization.

Alternate Work Area

Recovery environment complete with necessary infrastructure (e.g., desk, telephone, workstation, and associated hardware and equipment, communications).

Annual Loss Exposure/Expectancy (ALE)

A risk management method of calculating loss based on a value and level of frequency.

Annual Program Review (APR)

A structured yearly opportunity for top management to review the status of important components of the business continuity management program, with the objectives of approving future initiatives, allocating resources and confirming program scope.