Practical Business Continuity Management (BCM) is essential to safeguard against disruptions.
This chapter examines potential risks faced by LKCMedicine in the context of NTU and explores strategies for mitigating these threats.
As a part of NTU, LKCMedicine relies on the university’s IT infrastructure for critical systems, including student records, research databases, and communication networks.
Any cyberattack or IT system failure at NTU could disrupt LKCMedicine’s ability to function effectively. Key risks include:
Data breaches compromise confidential medical research and student records.
Ransomware or malware attacks affect NTU’s IT systems.
Downtime of critical platforms like learning management systems and cloud storage.
Implement robust cybersecurity policies and conduct regular penetration testing.
Develop backup and disaster recovery plans for IT systems.
Conduct training for staff and students on cybersecurity best practices.
As a medical school, LKCMedicine is particularly vulnerable to public health crises such as pandemics.
NTU’s policies on campus closures, remote learning, and health protocols directly impact LKCMedicine’s operations.
Establish remote learning infrastructure for medical education.
Develop contingency plans for clinical training in case of hospital access restrictions.
Align BCM plans with Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines.
LKCMedicine operates under NTU’s governance framework, which means that any university-wide administrative or financial decisions may have unintended consequences for the medical school.
Budget cuts or reallocation of university resources may affect LKCMedicine’s funding.
Changes in NTU’s policies on academic collaboration may impact LKCMedicine’s partnership with Imperial College London.
Advocate for LKCMedicine’s unique needs in NTU’s strategic planning.
Secure independent funding streams to reduce financial dependency on NTU.
Establish governance structures to ensure LKCMedicine’s interests are represented.
LKCMedicine’s campuses, facilities, and research labs are integrated within NTU’s physical infrastructure. Any disruption to NTU’s facilities, such as power failures, natural disasters, or construction projects, can significantly impact LKCMedicine’s operations.
Conduct regular risk assessments on infrastructure vulnerabilities.
Develop emergency response protocols for lab and clinical facilities.
Ensure redundancy in critical utilities such as power and water supply.
LKCMedicine’s student body and faculty are directly affected by NTU’s broader policies on academic continuity, faculty appointments, and research funding.
Disruptions in NTU’s administrative functions could delay student admissions, exams, and graduation.
Faculty members may be impacted by changes in NTU’s employment policies or funding for research grants.
Develop independent crisis management plans for academic continuity.
Establish clear communication channels between LKCMedicine and NTU leadership.
Advocate for specialized faculty retention policies within NTU.
LKCMedicine faces various risks associated with NTU’s broader BCM framework, ranging from IT threats and governance decisions to infrastructure vulnerabilities.
LKCMedicine must proactively engage in risk assessment and mitigation planning to ensure resilience.
Strengthening its BCM strategy, fostering independent risk management measures, and maintaining open communication with NTU leadership will ensure the continuity of LKCMedicine’s mission in medical education and research.
To learn more about the course and schedule, click the buttons below for the BCM-300 Business Continuity Management Implementer [BCM-3] and the BCM-5000 Business Continuity Management Expert Implementer [BCM-5].