What is Continuity of Operations?

Continuity of Operations (COOP), as defined

in the National Continuity Policy

Implementation Plan (NCPIP) and the

National Security Presidential Directive-

51/Homeland Security Presidential Directive-

20 (NSPD-51/HSPD-20), is an effort within

individual executive departments and agencies

branch is the continuation of National Essential

Functions (NEFs). In order to achieve that goal,

the objective for organizations is to identify their

Essential Functions (EFs) and ensure that those

functions can be continued throughout, or

resumed rapidly after, a disruption of normal

activities. The Federal Government has an

important partnership with other non-federal

government entities and with private sector

owners and operators who play integral roles in

Elements of a Viable Continuity

outlines the following overarching continuity

requirements for agencies.

 Essential Functions – The critical activities

performed by organizations, especially after

a disruption of normal activities. There are

three categories of essential functions:

NEFs, PMEFs, and MEFs.

 Orders of Succession – Provisions for the

assumption of senior agency offices during

an emergency in the event that any of those

locations. Generally, pre-determined

delegations of authority will take effect

when normal channels of direction have

been disrupted and will lapse when these

channels have been reestablished.

 Continuity Facilities – Locations, other

than the primary facility, used to carry out

essential functions, particularly in a

continuity event. Continuity Facilities, or

“Alternate facilities”, refers to not only other

conjunction with other agencies, under all

conditions.

 Vital Records Management – the

identification, protection and ready

availability of electronic and hard copy

documents, references, records, information

systems, data management software and

equipment needed to support essential

functions during a continuity situation.

 Human Capital – during a continuity event,

continuity plan is capable of supporting the

continued execution of the agency’s

essential functions throughout the duration

of a continuity event.

 Devolution of Control and Direction –

capability to transfer statutory authority and

responsibility for essential functions from an

facilities to other agency employees and

facilities

Four Phases of Continuity of

Operations Activation

 Phase I - Readiness and Preparedness

 Phase II - Activation and Relocation:

plans, procedures, and schedules to

transfer activities, personnel, records, and

equipment to alternate facilities are

activated

 Phase III - Continuity Operations: full

 Phase IV – Reconstitution: operations at

Continuity Plan be Activated?

The plan could be activated in response to a wide

range of events or situations – from a fire in the

building; to a natural disaster; to the threat or

occurrence of a terrorist attack. Any event that

makes it impossible for employees to work in

their regular facility could result in the activation

of the Continuity plan.

individual responsible for coordinating your

areas COOP-related activities and is the principal

liaison between your organization and the

National Continuity Programs (NCP)

Directorate. Another source of information

would be the web-based independent study

course on COOP (IS 546a and IS 547) that the

agency offers online.

Reference Documents: