Behind the Ballot: Education and Skills
Our members asked board election candidates: What steps should the BCI take to upskill its members (and staff) in AI, data analytics, and digital resilience?
Matthew McDonough
Within my current role and organization, I approached such a subject through the integration for AI, data analytics and digital resilience into role profiles and competency framework for those with roles and responsibilities. The BCI should consider how it can adopt the same into their competency framework, development pathways and training certification. Additionally, after working with National Occupational Standards (NOS), the BCI could consider how it can influence such standards e.g. SFJCCAD2 and promote business continuity management to reflect such upskilling into those who carry roles and responsibilities in the profession. Equally important is creating opportunities for peer learning, knowledge sharing and practical application. Making resilience related education accessible, competency-based and continuously updated, the BCI can facilitate practitioners to remain current.
Mikaiiro Laitinen
Before any upskilling in AI, data analytics, and digital resilience is launched, it may make sense to formulate a common understanding on what these concepts are about. Is AI just another new and interesting technology like relational databases or mobile devices a few decades ago? Will it fundamentally change BC&R concepts and, if so, what are the implications? What should we know about data analytics? And how does digital resilience differ from other forms of resilience? Only after understanding these concepts better are we in a better position to decide the next steps. Obvious choices include the tools the BCI already uses successfully: webinars, guidance, and the BCI World Hybrid event. In addition, the AI resilience SIG could be a valuable source of information and innovative volunteers. The Next Generation Network with its energetic approach may be another useful tool.
Rina Singh
As organizations become increasingly reliant on digital services, cloud platforms and interconnected supply chains, resilience professionals need to be involved earlier in technology and change initiatives, helping shape decisions rather than assessing their impact afterwards. Upskilling should therefore focus on building confidence in digital resilience, including how resilience can be evidenced and assured in increasingly digital environments, particularly where traditional approaches may no longer apply. For example, there can be a misconception that cloud-based services are inherently resilient, when resilience still depends on architecture, service design, assurance and understanding key dependencies. Equally important is creating opportunities for members and staff to share practical experience, lessons learned and emerging good practice. The profession's role is to challenge assumptions and ensure resilience is designed into services from the outset, rather than assuming technology alone delivers resilience.
Sandra Bartley MBCI
Provide training courses, qualifications and understand best practice as regards using AI in BC. I think BCI does this at present via the AI SIG and webinars they do. It could be included in the next GPG.
Russ Parramore
Potential for AI training to be accredited as part of the BCI’s curriculum of training
Atiq Bajwa
BCI should start by defining what skills in AI, data analytics and digital resilience its staff and members need and identify the gaps by a short survey. Next, BCI should add AI, data analytics and digital resilience modules to its training and certification pathways, with practical content such as using AI for BIAs and horizon scanning, and reading resilience data to support decisions. BCI can run webinars and workshops through the Chapters, where members compare real cases. As Chair of the Saudi Arabia Chapter, I know how well local sessions work.
Penny Killow
As mentioned earlier, refreshing training courses to reflect the current and future uses of AI in the BC & resilience profession is required now. Hosting relevant webinars and collaborating with cutting edge technology providers to provide insights to the future deployments and how practitioners can adapt. I recommend partnership with universities and technology companies to help our members dream the art of the possible.
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