The Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF), represented by the Planning, Quality and Innovation Department and in cooperation with OISSG Group, held a training workshop titled "Implementing the Business Continuity System and Activating Strategies" at the ministry's headquarters.

The workshop aimed to introduce the components of the business continuity system and the roles and responsibilities involved in implementing it. It also reviewed the approved continuity and recovery strategies. The workshop is part of the Business Continuity System Implementation Project and was designed for the continuity champions in the relevant MSDF departments.

The workshop covered several key themes: the importance of business continuity, the business continuity management system and its main terminology, the escalation matrix, and recovery strategy options. It also included practical exercises.

Speaking about the importance of business continuity, the trainer explained that the system helps maintain priority services and operations during disruptions and recover from them. It also ensures that legal, regulatory, and contractual obligations are met within the set timeframes. In addition, it protects beneficiaries by keeping their access to essential services uninterrupted and reducing the impact of sudden disruptions on them.

She added that business continuity strengthens the confidence of beneficiaries and partners in MSDF’s ability to respond to change and keep delivering its services. It also reduces the operational and financial impact of disrupted operations, limits the related losses and costs, and speeds up recovery.

The trainer also reviewed the main terms and definitions of the business continuity system. She explained that the Maximum Tolerable Period of Disruption (MTPD) is the longest time activities can be disrupted before the impact becomes unacceptable. The Recovery Time Objective (RTO) is the period within which a service or activity must be resumed, or resources restored, after an incident. The Recovery Point Objective (RPO) is the point to which the technical data must be restored so that activities can be resumed effectively.

MSDF is committed to investing in the development of national talent and strengthening the readiness of its employees. Workshops like this raise institutional awareness of business continuity concepts and equip employees with the knowledge and skills needed to keep services running sustainably under all circumstances.