Expert: Only 21% of State Institutions Have Business Continuity Plans

In response to Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' earlier statement, expert Ojārs Stūre highlights that only 21% of state institutions and 31% of private sector organizations have developed business continuity plans. He argues that these figures reflect not just individual organizational preparedness but the overall resilience of the country against serious disruptions.

Stūre points out that today's threats such as climate-induced natural disasters, large-scale cyberattacks, hybrid threats, sabotage, and military conflict are no longer theoretical. The lack of plans for a significant portion of organizations poses a risk to the whole society. While some progress has been made, the pace is unsatisfactory – four-fifths of state institutions and two-thirds of companies lack even a basic plan.

The expert criticizes a reliance on luck, noting that avoiding discussions about risks does not prevent them. He calls on every organization to clearly define their response in a crisis: who makes decisions, who replaces colleagues, how critical services are maintained, and communication channels. Stūre welcomes the prime minister's attention to this issue and advocates for systematic monitoring and improvement targets.

He suggests using the Nordic Resilience Organization's free guide for company leaders on preparing for military threats and crises. Stūre emphasizes that a plan alone is not enough – it must be supported by reserves, resources, and trained personnel. Regular practical exercises are essential to test the plan's effectiveness, uncover weaknesses, and reduce error rates during real emergencies.

Stūre stresses that a crisis is not the time to read a plan for the first time; it should be a familiar tool tested multiple times in drills. Only then can an organization be confident in its ability to respond and restore operations effectively.