[BCM] [CAS] [E3] [BCS] [T1] Mitigation Strategies and Justification

[Business Continuity Strategy] [Template 1]

Bann_BCM_BCS_Mitigation Strategies and Justification

Part 1: BCS – Mitigation Strategies

Children’s Aid Society

Mitigation strategies are essential to ensure that the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) remains resilient in the face of risks and uncertainties.

As an organisation dedicated to safeguarding and empowering vulnerable children and families, CAS must maintain robust measures to protect its operations, reputation, and the safety of its beneficiaries.

This chapter outlines the threats that could potentially disrupt CAS’s core services and identifies corresponding mitigation strategies to reduce, avoid, or transfer these risks.

By assessing existing controls and implementing additional measures, CAS strengthens its preparedness to withstand incidents while ensuring continuity of care and support for those who rely most on its services.

Mitigation Strategies Table for Children’s Aid Society

Threat	Existing Controls	Risk Rating	Risk Level	Risk Treatment (Residual Risk)	Additional Mitigation Strategy	Justification for Selected Mitigation Strategy
Data breach / cyber-attack	Firewall, antivirus, data access policies, staff briefings	Medium (e.g., 6)	Medium	Risk Reduction	Conduct regular vulnerability assessments; strengthen staff cybersecurity training.	Cyber threats evolving—periodic testing and training reduce both likelihood and impact; cost-effective relative to potential data loss or reputational damage.
Service disruption (e.g., IT outage)	UPS systems, backup generators, and basic disaster plans	High (e.g., 9)	High	Risk Reduction	Implement DR (Disaster Recovery) site; formalise RTO/RPO targets	Enhances resilience; even if primary systems fail, services (critical for vulnerable children) can continue with minimal downtime
Child safety incident (on-site)	Supervision protocols, staff-to-child ratios, and incident reporting	Medium (e.g., 8)	High	Risk Avoidance / Reduction	Regular refresher training on child safety; install CCTV in communal areas (with privacy measures)	Adds layers of protection; training reinforces awareness, CCTV deters and aids response—balances safety and privacy.
Financial fraud or misappropriation	Segregation of duties, approval workflows, and audits	Medium (e.g., 6)	Medium	Risk Transference / Reduction	Purchase fidelity insurance; enhance internal audit frequency	Insurance transfers residual risk; audits provide proactive detection and deterrence versus sole reliance on existing controls
Reputational risk (e.g., negative media)	Communications protocol, designated spokesperson, social media monitoring	Medium (e.g., 6)	Medium	Risk Reduction	Develop a crisis communication plan; media training for key, trained staff	Prepares CAS to respond swiftly and appropriately to preserve public trust—better than reactive ad-hoc responses
Non-compliance with regulatory requirements	Policy documentation, occasional compliance reviews	High (e.g., 8)	High	Risk Avoidance / Reduction	Engage an external compliance consultancy; set up regular regulatory compliance audits.	Ensures adherence to evolving regulations; external experts add oversight and credibility, mitigating legal and reputational consequences.
Physical security breach (intrusion)	Locks, visitor logs, access control	Low (e.g., 4)	Low–Medium	Risk Reduction	Install electronic access cards, CCTV + alarm systems	Modernises security, deterrent and audit trail for incidents; relatively low cost given the safety of vulnerable individuals

* Note: The Risk Rating and Risk Level columns are placeholders—derived as typical combinations of likelihood × impact (from the RAR phase), and should be updated based on your organisation's actual scoring and definitions from your RAR assessment.

Explanation & References to BCMpedia Guidance

Risk Treatment Types align with BCMpedia’s four risk treatments (Avoidance, Reduction, Transference, Acceptance).
Additional Mitigation Strategies drawn from the examples in the “Summary of Mitigation Strategies”—such as installing detection devices, training staff, outsourcing activities, buying insurance, etc.
Justification aligns with BCMpedia’s recommended considerations—for example, cost, maintenance effort, skill readiness, urgency, elevated awareness, and comparing prevention costs vs benefits.

Summing Up ...

In summary, effective mitigation strategies allow the Children’s Aid Society to minimise vulnerabilities and reinforce organisational resilience.

By systematically identifying threats, evaluating current controls, and adopting additional measures, CAS can manage risks proactively and sustainably. These strategies not only protect critical functions but also safeguard the well-being of children and families under their care.

Ultimately, a well-structured mitigation framework ensures that CAS can continue to fulfil its mission, uphold stakeholder trust, and maintain service excellence even in times of crisis or disruption.

Resilience in Service: BCM Implementation for Children’s Aid Society
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