The evolution of cyber threats and operational incidents has rendered the historic 3-2-1 backup rule insufficient. Today, backups are a key element of business continuity and operational resilience: without isolation, immutability, and rigorous recovery testing, recovery capability remains only theoretical. This article takes a technical look at the 3-2-2-1-1-0 rule, explaining why backup is no longer an IT function, but a true business continuity capability.
Sprinkler systems are often considered simple solutions for fire protection, but their effectiveness depends on complex design, hydraulic calculations, installation standards and verification processes. The NFPA 13 course in Rome provides a technical and practical overview of sprinkler system requirements, focusing on real-world applications, common design errors, and the critical role these systems play in protecting people, property, and business continuity.
The operating principle of a sprinkler system may seem disarmingly simple: a pressurised pipe that releases water to control or extinguish flames in the event of a fire.
However, those working in the field of fire protection are well aware that behind this apparent simplicity lies an extremely complex design that must meet numerous technical, regulatory and performance requirements.
The NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems is the most authoritative global reference for the sizing, selection, installation and testing of sprinkler systems.
By participating in our NFPA 13 course, you will explore fundamental topics such as:
- Classification of occupational risks and determination of design density;
- Types of sprinklers and selection criteria for different environments;
- Configurazione delle reti idrauliche: sistemi wet, dry, preaction e deluge;
- Hydraulic calculations: methods for sizing and performance verification;
- Criteria for spacing, location and positioning of sprinklers;
- Periodic maintenance and inspection of systems in accordance with standards;
- Regulatory adjustments and main differences compared to European standards, in particular UNI EN 12845.
The course will take place in Rome from 29 September to 2 October 2025, for a total of 5 days of intensive training.
This knowledge is now essential both for operating in international contexts and for ensuring the correct design of systems in compliance with applicable regulations.
The course is aimed at designers, engineers, technical managers, safety managers, risk engineers and insurance assessors, as well as all professionals who wish to acquire in-depth, applicable knowledge of automatic water extinguishing systems.
Register now to consolidate your skills and bring your professionalism up to the highest international standards of fire protection.
For detailed information on the programme and how to register, visit the official website:
👉 www.continuitaly.it
Business Impact Analysis (BIA) is the starting point of any effective Business Continuity Management system. Without proper analysis of impacts, recovery times and process priorities, business continuity remains a theoretical exercise. This article explains why BIA is essential for making informed decisions, properly allocating resources, and building real operational resilience.
Business Continuity Management and organizational resilience are often used synonymously, but they represent different and complementary concepts. This article clarifies the relationship between BCM and resilience, explaining how business continuity constitutes a structured and measurable capability, while organizational resilience requires a broader, integrated, and strategic vision capable of adapting to complex and changing risk contexts.
Summer is coming! Summer is just around the corner and, unfortunately, many European countries are experiencing severe drought conditions. This phenomenon is becoming more and more frequent, and, unfortunately, Italy may also suffer the consequences.
Therefore, Italian companies must adequately prepare for a possible drought during this summer. In fact, it is important to consider drought risks not only from an environmental perspective, but also from a Business Continuity Management perspective.
The consequences of drought on business activities can be manifold. For example, reduced water availability can affect the production of some companies, which may experience interruptions or even temporary cessation of operations. In addition, the reduction in water resources can affect production processes and delivery times, with negative consequences on customer satisfaction.
The main risk is perhaps the energy risk. Not only hydropower plants but also thermal power plants will be challenged by the insufficient level of water supplies and rivers. In addition, high temperatures lead to an increase in the power committed to air conditioning systems and thus to possible blackouts. Finally, the presence of similar situations in other countries, France first and foremost, will not allow them to rely on their energy surplus.
It is therefore critical that Italian companies, public and private, put in place preventive measures to limit the impacts of drought on their operations. A good practice may be to adopt from the outset technologies and production processes that reduce water consumption, or that provide for the recovery and reuse of wastewater.
In addition, it is important that Italian companies adopt – again – a resilient, business continuity management approach, including the preparation of contingency and business continuity plans in the event of droughts, blackouts and energy rationing. These plans should include, for example, identifying business-critical activities and preparing alternative solutions to ensure their continuity.
In summary, drought is a phenomenon that can have serious consequences for the operations of Italian companies. Therefore, it is essential that companies adequately prepare for this risk by adopting sustainable technologies and production processes, preparing contingency plans, and raising awareness among their employees and managers about the sustainable management of water resources. Only in this way can we ensure the continuity of our country’s business activities and contribute to more sustainable management of environmental resources.
#draught #draught #businesscontinuitymanagement #drii #driitaly #continuityitaly #bcm #blackout #rationing
Business Continuity regulations in our country are rather meager. Exceptions are the regulations present in a few (few) sectors, and among them the main one is certainly the Banks. The Bank of Italy has been active on this issue since the middle of the first decade of this century. The most frequently referred to regulation is Circular No. 285 of December 17, 2013, which has been updated several times and calls for actions to preserve the business continuity of the bank’s critical processes.
Following are some links:
- Circolare n. 285 del 17 dicembre 2013
- Linee guida in materia di continuità operativa delle infrastrutture di mercato
- PROTOCOLLO DI INTESA PER LA CONTINUITÀ OPERATIVA DELLA DISTRIBUZIONE DI BANCONOTE IN EURO
- CODISE e continuità di servizio della piazza finanziaria italiana
UNDRR (formerly UNISDR) is the UN focal point for disaster risk reduction. UNDRR oversees the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supporting countries in its implementation, monitoring and sharing what works in reducing existing risk and preventing the creation of new risks.
The site is certainly very institutional but contains a lot of useful information, particularly about the Sendai Framework.
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 (Sendai Framework) was the first major agreement of the post-2015 development agenda and provides member states with concrete actions to protect development gains from disaster risk.
The Sendai Framework works hand in hand with the other agreements of the 2030 Agenda, including the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on Financing for Development, the New Urban Agenda, and, finally, the Sustainable Development Goals. It was endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly after the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) in 2015, and advocates for:
- La riduzione sostanziale del rischio di disastri e delle perdite di vite, mezzi di sussistenza e salute e dei beni economici, fisici, sociali, culturali e ambientali di persone, imprese, comunità e paesi.
It recognizes that the state has the primary role in reducing disaster risk, but that responsibility should be shared with other stakeholders, including local government, the private sector and other interested parties.
The Sendai Framework can be downloaded here
The DRI is certainly one of the most influential organizations in the field of BC in the world. On their website www.drii.org they present themselves as follows.
“Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRI) is the oldest and largest nonprofit organization that helps organizations around the world prepare for and recover from disasters by providing training, accreditation and thought leadership in business continuity, disaster recovery, cyber resilience and related fields. Founded in 1988, DRI has certified more than 15,000 resilience professionals in more than 100 countries and 95 percent of Fortune 100 companies. DRI offers 15 individual certifications, including the globally recognized CBCP certification, and certifies organizations as resilient businesses. DRI offers training programs ranging from introductory to master’s level in a variety of specialties in multiple languages; online and in-person continuing education opportunities; and an annual conference dedicated to the profession of resilience. DRI supports charitable activities through the DRI Foundation.”
Despite its obvious Anglo-Saxon roots, DRI delivers courses in many languages and countries, including Italy. Courses in Italian are advertised through www.dri-italy.it
In this video, the DRI president introduces her organization