BCP for Gonana

1. Introduction Gonana’s Business Continuity Plan (BCP) outlines the procedures to maintain essential functions and recover quickly in the event of disruptions. The goal is to ensure minimal impact on operations, protect stakeholders, and uphold our commitment to smallholder farmers and buyers.

2. Objectives

• Ensure the safety of employees, users, and partners.

• Maintain critical business operations during disruptions.

• Minimize downtime and financial loss.

• Protect data and ensure integrity.

• Restore normal operations swiftly.

3. Risk Assessment Key risks include:

• Technology Failures: Server outages, system bugs, or cybersecurity breaches.

• Supply Chain Disruptions: Logistics issues affecting commodity delivery.

• Natural Disasters: Floods or extreme weather impacting operations or users.

• Market Risks: Economic downturns or fluctuating agricultural prices.

• Human Factors: Key personnel unavailability or staff attrition.

4. Business Impact Analysis (BIA)

• Critical Functions:

• Platform availability for user transactions.

• Secure storage and management of user data.

• Communication with users, partners, and stakeholders.

• Customer support for issue resolution.

• Recovery Time Objectives (RTO):

• Platform functionality: 4 hours.

• Data restoration: 6 hours.

• Communication systems: 2 hours.

5. Continuity Strategies

• Data Backup and Recovery: Implement daily automated backups with off-site storage. Ensure a disaster recovery environment is ready for immediate activation.

• Redundant Systems: Deploy cloud-based solutions for platform resilience and scalability.

• Communication Plan: Maintain multiple communication channels (email, SMS, social media) for consistent updates to users and staff.

• Alternate Work Arrangements: Enable remote work capabilities for staff during disruptions.

• Vendor Management: Establish agreements with alternate logistics providers to ensure supply chain continuity.

6. Incident Response Plan

• Activation: Identify the disruption and notify the BCP team.

• Response Steps:

• Assess the severity and scope of the incident.

• Execute the predefined recovery strategies for critical functions.

• Communicate with affected stakeholders.

• Document the response process and resolution.

7. Roles and Responsibilities

• BCP Team Lead: Oversee the activation and coordination of the BCP.

• IT Manager: Ensure data security, system recovery, and platform uptime.

• Customer Support Lead: Manage user inquiries and resolve issues promptly.

• Operations Manager: Coordinate logistics and supply chain recovery.

• Communications Lead: Disseminate updates to stakeholders and users.

8. Communication Plan

• Internal:

• Use collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams) for real-time updates.

• Schedule daily status meetings during disruptions.

• External:

• Publish updates on the Gonana website and social media channels.

• Send emails and SMS notifications to users regarding platform status.

9. Training and Testing

• Conduct annual training for all employees on the BCP.

• Perform regular drills to simulate potential disruptions.

• Review and update the plan annually or after major incidents.

10. Plan Maintenance

• Assign responsibility for periodic plan reviews.

• Update the plan to reflect changes in technology, personnel, and operations.

• Retain records of all incidents and responses to improve future resilience.

11. Conclusion Gonana’s BCP ensures that disruptions are managed effectively, with minimal impact on stakeholders. By prioritizing preparedness, resilience, and swift recovery, Gonana remains committed to supporting smallholder farmers and buyers in any circumstance.