The DRI International held its Annual Board Meeting in San Diego, California in March. Topping the list of agenda items was what is the importance of certification to the Business Continuity Planner and how can the Institute expand and improve on the services we offer.

At least in part, the answers to these questions will have to come from Business Continuity Planners themselves. We invite, in fact, we welcome your ideas and suggestions particularly as they relate to expanded services. We think, however, we have some strong answers to the first question: What is the importance of certification?

Implemented in 1989 with the introduction of the internationally recognized Certified Disaster Recovery Planner (CDRP) designation, DRI offers professional training both to new Planners as well as experienced Business Continuity Professionals wanting to enhance their knowledge. Through the efforts of the DRI Certification Board, the Institute developed a Common Body of Knowledge that defines the boundaries of the business continuity profession and determined the breadth of knowledge needed to be considered for each of the levels of certification. Certification has changed somewhat over the years to more accurately reflect the changing roles and responsibilities of the planning profession with the new designation of Certified Business Continuity Planner (CBCP) being introduced in 1997. But what does this really mean to you?

To the employer: By taking the time and making the effort to become a Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) you demonstrate to your employer or prospective employer a higher degree of professionalism than someone who lacks the certification. You demonstrate your ability to learn knew skills, an interest in increasing your knowledge base and a dedication to the profession – all important attributes to an employer. This should translate to increased job security if you are already employed, or enhanced opportunity for employment if you are looking for a job.

To the individual: Ben Britt, Vice President of Prime Search, an executive recruiting firm that specializes in business continuity planning professionals, reports that the 1998 Disaster Recovery/ Business Continuity Income Survey preliminary results are looking very positive for the CBCPs.

"Income for the certified folks is up," Ben reported in the DRII Quarterly news letter. While the results are only preliminary, the final report is not due out until the end of second quarter, the early findings are very strong.

Last year’s survey reported that overall income average was $69,643. Early indications are for 1998 are that this average has risen to $73,223, a significant increase over last year. This income number was arrived at by adding the average reported salary ($67,172) and the average reported bonus ($6,051). The Prime Search survey results are very important to us in the Business Continuity Certification arena, as many employers call for the results when determining salary ranges for the DR/BC employees.

In the past, DR/BC employees were typically compensated in the same range as a mid-level computer programmer – an average of about $55,000 a year – which is well below the average for a certified professional according to these most recent statistics.

To the individual: The CBCP designation brings recognition of the individual’s vocational endeavors within the business continuity industry, which is nice to have. Far more important, however, is that by following the path set forth by the Institute, an individual can tailor a rewarding career path, both intellectually and financially. A new planner can begin his/her professional journey by obtaining the first level of certification – an Associate Business Continuity Planner (ABCP). To get this designation the individual with less than two years experience is required to take and pass the certification exam with a score of 75% or better. Once he/she completes two years in the business continuity profession, he/she may then apply for the CBCP. As noted earlier, this designation can make a difference in recognition by their employer as well as within the industry.

Building A Career Path

But these are just the first steps along the career path. As businesses grow increasingly dependent on technology, the role of the former disaster recovery planner has evolved into that of the business continuity planner. Corporations are recognizing the growing importance of the business continuity planner’s skill set. And it is equally important that the planner broaden that skill set to include corporate risk management, emergency management and security in addition to the tradition disaster recovery role. To ensure you have these skills, it is important to continue along the certification path to obtain the Master Business Continuity Professional (MBCP). By studying and obtaining your MBCP you further demonstrate your proficiency in the profession to yourself, your colleagues and your employer.

The certification program continues to gain stature in the academic community as well. In addition to the courses taught directly by the Institute, courses are also taught by sponsoring organizations such as The Center for the Advancement of Information Technologies, Washington University, St. Louis; The Center for Information Technologies Management, University of Texas at Arlington; George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and The Canadian Centre for Emergency Preparedness in Hamilton, Ontario. Look for additional sponsoring organizations in the near future.

Of course at the highest level we believe that industry groups benefit by the participation of certified individuals because of the higher levels of professionalism and individual commitment of the membership, thereby strengthening both the group and the industry. And society benefits from the growth of the individual participant because of their professional growth, motivation, and dedication to contributing to society.

Get More Information

To learn more about the certification programs, the course schedule and more, visit the DRI International website at www.dr.org or the DRI Canada website at www.dri.ca. And write to us. Let us know what you think. If you are a certified planner, how can we serve you better? Send an e-mail to DRIINFO@dr.org. We want to hear from you.

And a reminder, don’t forget the Ninth World Conference on Disaster Management sponsored by the Canadian Centre for Emergency Management which will be held in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, June 20 - 23. Register on-line by going to www.ccep.ca. Or drop by the DRI International’s exhibit at the DRJ Conference in Orlando in September.

Judith Eckles is Director of Marketing Communications for SunGard Recovery ServicesShe is the immediate past Chairperson for the Disaster Recovery Journal’s Editorial Advisory Board and was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of the Disaster Recovery Institute International, serving on a newly formed marketing committee.