The growing dependence on information technology makes organizations increasingly vulnerable to disruptions, outages, and cyberattacks. A single IT failure can bring entire business processes to a standstill, disrupt supply chains, or permanently damage customer relationships. To address this, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released the revised version of ISO/IEC 27031 in May 2025. This standard provides guidance on ensuring ICT Readiness for Business Continuity (IRBC) and links information security with business continuity management.
Key Takeaways
- ISO/IEC 27031:2025 was published in May 2025
- Provides a framework for ICT readiness to support business continuity
- Based on the PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act)
- Strong integration with ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security) and ISO 22301 (Business Continuity Management)
- Focus on cloud services, cyber threats, and modern IT infrastructures
What is ISO/IEC 27031?
ISO/IEC 27031 is an international guideline that describes how organizations can prepare their information and communication technologies to ensure they reliably support business continuity in case of disruptions. The standard defines principles, processes, and measures to help ICT systems remain operational or recover quickly after an incident.
It bridges the gap between classic business continuity management and modern IT security. While ISO 22301 defines the general framework for business continuity, ISO 27031 specifies how ICT systems should be prepared, monitored, and restored.
Key Elements of the Standard
ICT Readiness Framework
The standard introduces a framework that helps organizations systematically prepare their ICT environments for outages and emergencies.
PDCA Cycle
ISO/IEC 27031 is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. Organizations plan measures, implement them, monitor their effectiveness, and continuously improve.
Recovery Objectives
A central aspect is defining recovery objectives, such as Recovery Time Objective (RTO) and Recovery Point Objective (RPO). These determine how quickly systems must be restored and how much data loss is acceptable.
Focus on Modern Technologies
The 2025 version places special emphasis on cloud environments, virtualization, and external service providers, reflecting today’s IT infrastructure realities.
Why ISO/IEC 27031 Matters for GRC
The standard is closely tied to governance, risk, and compliance management.
- Governance: Organizations must assign clear responsibilities for ICT readiness and establish leadership to actively manage cyber resilience.
- Risk Management: ICT risks are better integrated into enterprise risk management. Threats such as cyberattacks, system downtime, or supplier failures can be assessed and mitigated more effectively.
- Compliance: ISO/IEC 27031 complements standards like ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO 22301, enabling organizations to build consistent, auditable, and verifiable management systems.
Practical Benefits for Organizations
- Faster, more structured response to IT disruptions
- Improved resilience against cyberattacks and system failures
- Seamless integration with information security and business continuity programs
- Greater transparency and audit-readiness
- Stronger trust among customers, investors, and regulators
Conclusion
ISO/IEC 27031:2025 is an important step toward making organizations more resilient against IT risks. With its clear structure, links to existing management systems, and focus on modern technologies, it provides a practical framework for integrating ICT resilience into GRC strategies. Organizations that adopt the new standard early will not only improve their responsiveness but also strengthen long-term competitiveness.
FAQ
What is the difference between ISO 27031 and ISO 22301?
ISO 22301 defines the general framework for business continuity management. ISO 27031 specifies how ICT systems should be prepared and managed within that framework.
Is ISO/IEC 27031 certifiable?
No, the standard serves as guidance. It complements certifiable standards like ISO 27001 and ISO 22301, which can be used for audits and external certification.
Which organizations should apply ISO 27031?
Any organization that relies heavily on IT and digital processes. It is especially relevant for finance, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and public sector organizations.
What does ICT readiness mean?
ICT readiness refers to the ability of information and communication technologies to support business continuity and remain functional during crises.
What are the main benefits of applying the standard?
Improved resilience, clear response processes in crises, stronger compliance, and enhanced stakeholder trust.
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