Business Continuity Isn’t Just for Fortune 500s: Why SMBs Must Prepare
- CrisisWire
- Sep 29
- 2 min read
When most people think of business continuity planning (BCP), they picture skyscrapers in New York, sprawling tech campuses in Silicon Valley, or massive government offices running 24/7. But the truth is simple: small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) face the same threats — often with even fewer resources to survive them.
Why SMBs Can’t Afford to Ignore Business Continuity
Disasters don’t discriminate. Hurricanes, wildfires, cyberattacks, and power outages don’t target businesses based on their revenue. A single event can devastate a small company that lacks recovery protocols.
Supply chain reliance. Many SMBs are tightly integrated with larger companies. If you can’t meet obligations after a disruption, you risk losing contracts permanently.
Customer expectations. In today’s digital-first world, downtime means lost trust. Customers won’t wait days for you to recover when competitors are one click away.
Regulatory & insurance pressures. Increasingly, insurers and regulators demand continuity planning — without it, you risk higher premiums or denied coverage.
📖 Related reading: My book The Prepared Leader breaks down practical threat assessment and continuity steps leaders at all levels can implement.
Core Elements of SMB Business Continuity Planning
Risk Assessment & Prioritization Identify your most critical functions (payroll, customer communication, vendor obligations) and the threats most likely to impact them.
Emergency Response Playbooks Even a five-person office needs clear steps for fire, medical, or cyber emergencies. No plan is too small.
Data Backup & Cyber Resilience Cyberattacks and ransomware disproportionately hit SMBs because criminals assume you’re unprepared. Daily backups, offsite storage, and tested recovery systems are non-negotiable.
Alternate Work Locations COVID-19 proved remote operations must be factored in — whether it’s a temporary site, cloud platforms, or hybrid work structures.
Communication Strategy Your employees, vendors, and customers must know how you’ll update them. Use mass notification systems, call trees, and social media channels.
📌 For schools and colleges, see Campus Under Siege for a specialized look at continuity in education.
Action Steps for SMB Leaders
Start small. Draft a one-page plan listing your top five risks, who’s responsible, and how to respond.
Test it quarterly. Even tabletop exercises (walking through “what if” scenarios) reveal weaknesses.
Partner with experts. Outside consultants like CrisisWire can bring FEMA/DHS-certified frameworks to SMB environments.
Document & review. Regulators, insurers, and customers increasingly demand written proof. Don’t wait until after the crisis to show preparedness.
The Bottom Line
Business continuity is not about size. It’s about survival.
Whether you run a local dental practice, a 20-person startup, or a regional logistics company, your ability to withstand disruption is your competitive advantage. SMBs that prepare not only recover faster — they earn trust, win contracts, and protect their people.
📧 Contact us at crisiswire@proton.me for tailored threat assessments, continuity planning, and site security evaluations for your organization.
Comments