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Welcome, today is Thursday, November 20, 2008 |
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Resource Center >
Resources
> Continuity of Operations Overview
What is Continuity of Operations or COOP?
Continuity of Operations, also known as COOP, refers to the ability for an agency to continue performance of critical functions during an incident situation where normal business operations are disrupted.
What is a COOP Plan?
A COOP plan is a plan developed for agencies to follow in the event of an incident situation (such as natural or man-made disaster) in order to maintain business operations. The plan should be sustainable for 30 days and include elements such as alternate facilities that could be operational within 12 hours of a disaster. The objective of COOP planning is to ensure the continuous performance of an agency’s essential operations during an emergency; protect essential facilities, equipment, records, and other assets; reduce or mitigate disruptions to operations; reduce loss of life, minimize damage and losses; and achieve a timely and orderly recovery from an emergency and resumption of full service to customers.
What does a COOP Plan entail?
Usually a COOP plan consists of plans and procedures, identification of essential elements, delegations of authority, orders of succession, alternate facilities, interoperable communications, vital records and databases, and tests, training, and exercises.
Where did COOP begin?
COOP essentially began in 1988, with the Executive Order 12656 that called for each agency to ensure it could continue to provide services during an emergency. Ten years later, the 1998 Presidential Decision Directive 67 stated that agencies should plan for all types of hazards, from floods and fires to terrorist attacks as well as alternate facilities that could be operational within 12 hours of a disaster and that the COOP operations should be sustainable for 30 days. Most recently in 2004, the Federal Preparedness Circular 65 was updated to establish standard elements for agencies’ COOP plans and discusses how agencies can develop and implement their plans.
How are COOP and Telework related?
Aside from Telework’s benefits such as employee work-life balance, increased productivity, and reduced operating costs, Telework also enables continuous vital government services during a state of emergency. Continuity of operations relies more than ever on enabling government employees and contractors to work from any location. Therefore, a critical component of COOP planning is an information technology framework that enables secure, remote use of the same IT resources that would be accessed from the main office location. This same secure, remote infrastructure enables employees to work remotely at any time, not just in the event of a disaster.
Recent studies underscore the value of Telework as a COOP measure. According to the Telework Exchange “COOP: A Wake Up Call” study, 40 percent of respondents believe their agency is not prepared to continue operating in the wake of a disaster. However, of respondents who indicated that their agency has a telework component in their COOP plans, 90 percent feel that their agency would be able to maintain business operations during a disaster. Additionally, according to a recent OPM study, 35 agencies have incorporated telework into their COOP programs, while another 37 say they are considering adding telecommuting to these initiatives.
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