Top 10 Business Continuity Manager Certifications

Certifications for a business continuity manager are important in the job market as they demonstrate to employers that the individual has the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively manage their organization’s business continuity program. Certifications also provide assurance to employers that the individual is knowledgeable about industry best practices and current trends in business continuity management. Having a certification can give an individual an advantage when competing for jobs, as certified professionals are seen as more credible than those without certifications. Additionally, certifications can help individuals stand out from other applicants and show potential employers that they have taken the initiative to further their professional development.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Business Continuity Managers and explain how they can help advance a business continuity manager's career.

What are Business Continuity Manager Certifications?

Business continuity manager certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and experience in the area of business continuity management. Business continuity management (BCM) is the process of ensuring that organizations are able to continue to operate during and after a major disruption or disaster. The certification is administered by the Business Continuity Institute (BCI), an internationally recognized professional organization for BCM practitioners.

Having a business continuity manager certification can be beneficial for both individuals and organizations. For individuals, having this credential shows employers that they have the necessary skills and knowledge to manage business continuity planning activities within their organization. In addition, having this certification can open up career opportunities in BCM, as it demonstrates to employers that an individual is qualified for the job.

For organizations, having certified business continuity managers can help ensure that their organization’s critical functions remain operational in the event of a disaster or other disruption. Certified BCMs are trained to identify potential risks and develop plans to mitigate those risks so that operations can continue as normal in the event of a disruption. Furthermore, having certified BCMs on staff can also provide organizations with increased credibility when dealing with regulators, customers, and other stakeholders who may be concerned about organizational resilience in times of crisis.

Pro Tip: Get certified as a Business Continuity Manager to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field. Certification programs, such as those offered by the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII), provide a comprehensive curriculum that covers all aspects of business continuity management and can help you stand out from the competition.

Related: What does a Business Continuity Manager do?

Top 10 Business Continuity Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Business Continuity Managers today.

1. Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP)

Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) is a professional certification program offered by the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRI). The CBCP is designed to help organizations and professionals understand the importance of business continuity planning, as well as how to develop, implement and maintain effective business continuity plans.

To become certified, applicants must have at least three years of full-time experience in the business continuity field or related fields such as risk management, disaster recovery or emergency management. Applicants must also pass an exam that covers topics such as business impact analysis, disaster recovery strategies, crisis communication and incident response.

The CBCP certification process typically takes about six months to complete. To get started, applicants need to register for the exam with DRI and pay an application fee of $425 USD. After passing the exam, applicants must submit proof of their work experience and pay an additional $400 USD for the certification fee.

Overall, it costs approximately $825 USD to become a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP).

2. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is an information security certification issued by the International Information System Security Certification Consortium, also known as (ISC)2. It is a globally recognized certification that validates an individual’s expertise in designing, implementing, and managing a best-in-class cybersecurity program.

The CISSP exam consists of 250 multiple choice questions that must be completed within 6 hours. The exam covers 8 domains of knowledge including: Access Control; Telecommunications and Network Security; Software Development Security; Cryptography; Security Architecture and Design; Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Planning; Legal, Regulations, Compliance and Investigations; and Physical (Environmental) Security.

To get the CISSP certification, you will need to meet certain prerequisites such as having at least 5 years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the 8 domains of knowledge covered by the exam. You can also substitute one year of experience with a four-year college degree or an approved credential from the (ISC)2 approved list.

Once you have met all the requirements for taking the exam, you can register for it online through Pearson VUE or Prometric Testing Centers. The cost for taking the exam varies depending on your location but generally costs around $699 USD.

3. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)

Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) is an IT certification offered by ISACA, a global professional association focused on IT governance, assurance, security, and risk management. It is designed to help professionals understand the complexities of enterprise risk management and how to effectively design, implement, monitor and maintain information systems controls.

The CRISC certification requires applicants to have at least three years of experience in two or more of the four domains that make up the CRISC exam: Risk Identification, Assessment & Evaluation; Risk Response; Risk Monitoring; and Information Systems Control Design & Implementation.

It typically takes around six months to complete the CRISC certification process. The first step is to register for the exam with ISACA. Once registered, applicants must study for the exam using materials provided by ISACA or other sources such as online courses or textbooks. After studying for the exam, applicants must sit for the four-hour long proctored exam at a local testing center.

The cost of taking the CRISC exam varies depending on whether you are a member of ISACA or not. For non-members it costs $575 USD while members pay $415 USD. In addition to this fee there may be additional costs associated with studying for the exam such as purchasing textbooks or taking online courses.

4. Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII) Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP)

The Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII) Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) is a professional certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, implement, and manage business continuity programs. It is intended for professionals who are responsible for developing, implementing, managing, or auditing business continuity programs.

It takes approximately 6-12 months to complete the CBCP certification program. The program consists of three components: an online self-study course, an exam preparation course, and a proctored exam. The self-study course covers topics such as risk management, disaster recovery planning, crisis communications, and business impact analysis. The exam preparation course provides additional practice exams and study materials to help prepare for the proctored exam.

To get certified as a CBCP you must first meet the eligibility requirements which include having at least three years of experience in business continuity or related fields such as information technology or security. You must also complete the online self-study course and pass the proctored exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the type of program you choose. The DRII offers both individual and group certification programs with prices ranging from $1,500-$2,500 USD per person.

5. Project Management Institute's PMI-RMP Certification

The Project Management Institute's PMI-RMP (Project Management Professional – Risk Management Professional) certification is a globally-recognized credential that validates an individual’s expertise in risk management. The PMI-RMP certification demonstrates that the holder has the knowledge and skills to identify, assess, and control project risks while working on projects of any size or complexity.

It typically takes around 6 months to prepare for the PMI-RMP exam. This includes studying the material, taking practice tests, and attending review classes if available. To get certified, individuals must pass an exam consisting of 170 multiple choice questions with a score of at least 175 out of 200 points.

To get started on your journey towards becoming a PMI-RMP certified professional, you will need to register with the Project Management Institute (PMI) and pay an application fee of $100 USD. Once you have registered, you can purchase study materials from PMI or other sources such as books or online courses. After studying for a few months, you can then schedule your exam through Prometric Testing Centers or Pearson VUE Testing Centers. The cost for the exam is $555 USD for non-members and $405 USD for members.

Once you have passed the exam and met all other requirements set by PMI, you will be awarded your PMI-RMP certification which is valid for three years before needing to be renewed.

6. Business Continuity Institute's MBCI Certification

The Business Continuity Institute’s (BCI) MBCI certification is an internationally recognized professional certification for business continuity professionals. The MBCI designation is designed to recognize and promote the highest standards of professional practice in the field of business continuity management.

The MBCI certification process consists of two parts: the BCI Good Practice Guidelines (GPG) Foundation Course and the MBCI Practitioner Exam. The GPG Foundation Course provides a comprehensive introduction to business continuity management, including best practices, processes, and terminology. It typically takes 3-4 days to complete this course.

Once you have completed the GPG Foundation Course, you can take the MBCI Practitioner Exam which tests your knowledge of business continuity management principles and practices. This exam is administered online and typically takes around two hours to complete.

To be eligible for the MBCI certification, applicants must have at least four years of experience in business continuity management or related fields such as risk management or information security.

The cost for taking both parts of the MBCI certification process varies depending on where you are located but typically ranges from $1,000-$2,000 USD.

7. ISO 22301:2012 Lead Auditor Certification

ISO 22301:2012 Lead Auditor Certification is a certification that demonstrates a professional’s proficiency in auditing and assessing the implementation of business continuity management systems (BCMS) based on the ISO 22301 standard. This certification is designed to help organizations ensure that their BCMS meets the requirements of the international standard.

The certification process typically takes between two and four days, depending on the level of knowledge and experience of the auditor. The course includes lectures, group discussions, case studies, and practical exercises. At the end of the course, participants must pass an exam to obtain their certification.

To become certified as an ISO 22301:2012 Lead Auditor, individuals must first complete a training course from an accredited provider. There are several providers offering ISO 22301:2012 Lead Auditor courses online or in-person. Once they have completed the training course, they can register for the exam with an accredited provider and take it at a designated testing center.

The cost of ISO 22301:2012 Lead Auditor Certification varies depending on the provider and location but typically ranges from $1,500 to $2,500 USD.

8. CompTIA Security+ Certification

CompTIA Security+ is an internationally recognized certification that validates the knowledge and skills of IT professionals in system security, network infrastructure, cryptography, access control, and organizational security. It is designed to provide a baseline of knowledge for those who are interested in pursuing a career in information technology (IT) security.

The CompTIA Security+ exam consists of 90 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. The exam covers topics such as network security, compliance and operational security, threats and vulnerabilities, application, data and host security, access control and identity management, and cryptography.

To get the CompTIA Security+ certification you must first pass the Security+ exam. The exam can be taken at any authorized testing center or online through Pearson VUE or Certiport. You must have two years of experience in IT administration with a focus on security or have earned other certifications such as Network+, A+, or Linux+. You must also pay the fee for taking the exam which varies depending on where you take it but usually costs around $300 USD.

Once you have passed the exam you will receive your official CompTIA Security+ certification which is valid for three years from the date of issue. After three years you must renew your certification by either taking another qualifying exam or completing continuing education requirements such as attending conferences or taking additional courses related to IT security topics.

9. EC-Council Certified Incident Handler (ECIH)

EC-Council Certified Incident Handler (ECIH) is a certification program offered by the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council). It is designed to provide security professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to identify, respond, and manage cyber security incidents. The ECIH certification validates an individual’s ability to detect and respond to malicious activities on networks and systems.

The ECIH certification program consists of two parts: an online self-paced course and a proctored exam. The online course covers topics such as incident response fundamentals, malware analysis, network forensics, host forensics, log analysis, digital evidence handling, threat intelligence, incident response planning and more. The exam consists of multiple choice questions that must be completed in a three hour period.

To get the ECIH certification, you must first register for the online course through the EC-Council website. Once you have completed the course successfully, you will receive an email with instructions on how to take the proctored exam. After passing the exam with a minimum score of 70%, you will become certified as an EC-Council Certified Incident Handler (ECIH).

The cost of taking the ECIH certification program varies depending on your country of residence. In general, it costs around $1,000 USD for both the online course and exam fees combined.

10. GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH)

GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) is a certification offered by the Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC). It is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to detect, respond to, and resolve computer security incidents. The GCIH certification is intended for incident handlers, network administrators, system administrators, security officers, and other IT professionals who are responsible for responding to security incidents.

The GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions that must be completed within four hours. To prepare for the exam, candidates should have a minimum of two years of experience in incident handling or a related field. Candidates should also possess an understanding of network protocols and operating systems as well as an understanding of incident response processes and techniques.

The cost of the exam varies depending on the testing center; however, it typically ranges from $1,000-$2,000 USD. In addition to the cost of the exam itself, candidates may need to purchase additional study materials or attend training courses in order to prepare for the exam.

To obtain the GCIH certification, candidates must pass the GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH) exam with a score of 70% or higher. After passing the exam, candidates will receive their official GCIH certification from GIAC.

Do You Really Need a Business Continuity Manager Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on the individual's career goals. For some people, a Business Continuity Manager certificate may be beneficial in helping them pursue their desired career path. For others, it may not be necessary.

If an individual is looking to advance their career within the business continuity field, then a Business Continuity Manager certificate can help demonstrate their commitment and knowledge of the field. This type of certificate can also provide recognition for those who have achieved certain milestones within the industry. Additionally, a certificate can give potential employers confidence that an individual is knowledgeable about business continuity principles and practices.

For individuals already working in the business continuity field, a Business Continuity Manager certificate can serve as a way to differentiate themselves from other applicants when applying for new positions or promotions. It can also provide evidence of an individual's commitment to staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.

On the other hand, if an individual does not plan to pursue a career in business continuity or does not need additional qualifications for advancement opportunities, then obtaining a Business Continuity Manager certificate may not be necessary. In this case, pursuing other forms of professional development such as attending conferences or taking courses related to business continuity might be more beneficial as they would still demonstrate commitment and knowledge of the field without necessarily needing to obtain certification from an outside source.

Related: Business Continuity Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Business Continuity Manager Certifications

1. What is a Business Continuity Manager Certification?

Answer: A Business Continuity Manager Certification is a certification that demonstrates expertise in the field of business continuity planning and management. It involves the use of tools, techniques and strategies to ensure an organization’s ability to respond to and recover from any type of disruption.

2. How do I become certified as a Business Continuity Manager?

Answer: To become certified as a Business Continuity Manager, you need to take an exam offered by an accredited organization such as the Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII) or the Association of Contingency Planners (ACP). The exam covers topics such as risk assessment, emergency response planning, business impact analysis and incident response.

3. What are the benefits of becoming a certified Business Continuity Manager?

Answer: Becoming a certified Business Continuity Manager offers numerous benefits including increased job opportunities, higher salaries, better credibility among employers, industry recognition and more confidence in your own abilities.

4. How long does it take to become certified as a Business Continuity Manager?

Answer: Depending on your level of knowledge and experience, it can take anywhere from 6 months to 1 year or longer to become certified as a Business Continuity Manager. This includes studying for and taking the required exam(s), which may require additional preparation time depending on how long it takes you to learn the material.

5. Are there any prerequisites for becoming certified as a Business Continuity Manager?

Answer: Yes, most organizations offering certifications in this field have certain prerequisites that must be met before taking their exams. These may include having experience in business continuity planning or related fields, completing relevant courses or training programs, or having prior certification in another area related to business continuity management.