In recent months, Brazilian companies have intensified their search for specialized business continuity management (BCM) services. This significant increase is a direct reflection of the exponential growth in cyberattacks in the country, especially ransomware, and the increasingly rigorous enforcement by the National Data Protection Authority (ANPD).
In 2024 alone, Brazil recorded over 700 million cyberattacks, indicating approximately 1,400 incidents per minute. This alarming scenario pressures organizations to seek more robust strategies to ensure operational continuity in the face of increasingly frequent threats and crises.
The rise in ransomware attacks, in particular, has highlighted one of the biggest risks faced by companies today. In this criminal method, corporate systems are hacked, and their data is encrypted, leading to total or partial operational disruptions until a ransom is paid. Beyond direct financial damage, there are significant indirect and intangible losses, such as the erosion of customer and business partner trust. It is estimated that such incidents caused billion-dollar losses to the Brazilian market in the last year alone, prompting business leaders to reassess their stance on operational risk.
Concurrently, ANPD has intensified its enforcement actions throughout 2024 and early 2025, particularly concerning compliance with the General Data Protection Law (LGPD). Companies have faced severe penalties for lacking adequate security and operational continuity mechanisms, especially when vulnerabilities exposing personal data are found. This stricter stance, previously more flexible, now requires Brazilian organizations to adopt a structured and coherent approach to incident and crisis management, elevating the strategic importance of BCM.
BCM as a preventive tool
In this context, the importance of business continuity management grows—not just as a reactive measure but primarily as an essential preventive tool. A well-implemented BCM allows companies to recover quickly from incidents, minimizing financial damage and preserving their market reputation. It is an integrated corporate practice that identifies, assesses, and prepares organizations to respond effectively to any critical operational disruption, ensuring minimal downtime.
Implementing an effective BCM strategy begins with an in-depth risk analysis that clearly identifies an organization’s critical processes and the potential impact of disruption. This first step determines which operations need prioritization in a crisis. Subsequently, a continuity plan is developed, detailing clear and specific procedures to be adopted during disruptive events, enabling fast and coordinated responses.
The next stage—and perhaps one of the most underestimated by companies—is frequent training and practical simulations. Many continuity plans fail not due to technical flaws but because teams lack familiarity with the outlined procedures. Therefore, it is crucial that all stakeholders are continuously prepared to act as planned, ensuring protocols are executed smoothly and effectively when needed.
Another aspect reinforcing the relevance of BCM is the increasing market and regulatory demand for specific standards such as ISO 22301, the international benchmark detailing requirements for business continuity management systems. Companies aligned with these standards not only mitigate internal risks but also gain greater trust from business partners, investors, and clients, strengthening their market position.
Specialized consulting firms play a pivotal role in successful BCM implementation, bringing technical expertise and strategic vision to planning and execution. These firms support organizations from initial risk assessment to developing customized plans and targeted training, ensuring solutions align with international best practices and local regulatory requirements.
The conclusion is clear: the rising demand for business continuity management services is an unequivocal indicator that Brazilian companies are maturing in their perception of operational and cyber risks. This scenario demands a strategic, integrated, and continuous response from organizations, which must be prepared not only to react swiftly to incidents but to ensure long-term operational sustainability. Investing in a solid business continuity strategy safeguards the present while securing organizations’ futures amid the inevitable uncertainties and threats of today’s corporate landscape.
By Sylvio Sobreira Vieira, CEO & Head Consulting at SVX Consulting
