Banks, insurers, utilities, telecoms and other providers of essential services use it. Boards use it to judge how well the organisation withstands shocks.

• Current practice is compared with the guidance.
• Management agrees which parts apply and who owns them.
• Practices are adopted in policies, procedures and training.
• Results are reviewed after a set period and adjusted.

Cost is mainly staff time and any outside support. The number of processes and teams involved decides the effort. No certification fees apply, as no certificate is issued.

Most organisations adopt it in phases over several months. It can run alongside work on a certifiable standard.

ISO 22316 is guidance, so accredited certificates are not issued against it. Organisations usually certify the continuity part against ISO 22301.