bcp

BCP is an acronym that can refer to several concepts, depending on the context. The most common usages are in business continuity planning and in Internet engineering, where it denotes Best Current Practice.

In business continuity planning, a Business Continuity Plan is a structured document that outlines procedures and resources to ensure that critical business functions can continue or resume quickly after a disruption. A BCP typically includes a risk assessment and a business impact analysis to identify essential processes, recovery strategies, and trigger events. It also covers emergency response steps, communication plans, and defined roles and responsibilities. The development and maintenance of a BCP follow a lifecycle that includes governance, risk assessment, strategy development, plan documentation, training and testing, and regular updates to reflect changes in the organization or environment. Effective BCPs aim to minimize downtime, protect assets, and support rapid decision-making during crises.

In Internet engineering, Best Current Practice is a designation used by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) for documents that describe the IETF's current recommended practices. BCPs are not necessarily formal standards but are considered authoritative guidance that has been reviewed and widely adopted by the community. Examples include guidance on network security, routing, or mail protocols, with specific documents offering practical recommendations such as measures to prevent IP address spoofing or to improve interoperability. The BCP designation signals that the guidance reflects current consensus and practice within the IETF community.

Other uses of the acronym exist in various fields, but the two above are the most frequently encountered. Context typically clarifies which meaning is intended.