Building Resilience: Why NCEMA and ISO Standards Matter More Than Ever

Assist Plus
Oct 1
2 min read

If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that disruption can come from anywhere — a global pandemic, a cyberattack, a sudden supply chain breakdown, or even a natural disaster. For organizations in the UAE, staying prepared isn’t just good practice; it’s essential.

At Assist Plus Management Consultancy, we’ve spent years on the frontline helping organizations in Abu Dhabi and across the UAE design and implement frameworks that keep businesses moving forward — even when the unexpected happens.

What is NCEMA and why is it important?

NCEMA (the UAE’s National Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Management Authority) developed a local standard that sets the baseline for Business Continuity Management (BCM). In simple terms, it ensures that government entities and large organizations have clear, tested plans to respond to and recover from disruptions.

Unlike many international guidelines, NCEMA was designed specifically for the UAE, making it highly relevant for ministries, regulators, and critical industries such as energy, aviation, and healthcare.

Where ISO standards fit in

ISO standards, particularly ISO 22301 for Business Continuity Management, provide an international benchmark. They give organizations global recognition that their continuity plans aren’t just compliant locally — they’re on par with best practices worldwide.

But ISO isn’t only about business continuity:

ISO 31000 strengthens risk management.
ISO 27001 protects against cyber threats.
ISO 45001 keeps people safe.

When combined with NCEMA, these standards create a resilience framework that’s both locally compliant and globally respected.

Why this matters for government and large organizations

Disruptions don’t wait for permission. When operations stall, the impact goes beyond financial loss — it affects citizens, stakeholders, and national reputation.

By aligning with NCEMA and ISO standards, organizations can:

Protect critical services.
Build trust with stakeholders.
Ensure compliance with UAE regulations.
Gain international credibility.

How we help

Our role at Assist Plus is to make this manageable and practical. We don’t just deliver a thick binder of policies. Instead, we work with your teams to:

Identify gaps in your current resilience strategy.
Develop response plans that fit your organization’s reality.
Train staff so everyone knows their role when disruption happens.
Run exercises — from tabletop drills to full-scale simulations — to test readiness in real time.

The result? A living system that adapts, improves, and delivers confidence that your organization can withstand whatever comes next.

The bottom line

Resilience isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about being prepared for it.NCEMA gives us the UAE’s local compass. ISO provides the global map. Together, they ensure organizations are ready to lead with strength and stability, no matter the challenge.

At Assist Plus, we believe that business continuity is not a checklist — it’s a culture. And building that culture is what we do best.