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Spain in the dark: anticipating the unexpected and ensuring business continuity in the face of crisis

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On April 28, 2025, a major blackout plunged the Iberian Peninsula into darkness. Spain and Portugal were faced with a total interruption of power supply for a few critical minutes. This incident underlines the importance of companies being prepared to deal with unforeseen disruptions.

A revealing event for critical infrastructures

This incident highlighted the importance of structured crisis preparedness. The event occurred on April 28, 2025, starting at 12:33 pm. It affected the whole of the Iberian Peninsula, including Spain and Portugal. The gradual reactivation of the power supply began between 12:44 and 13:35. During this critical period, sensitive infrastructures such as hospitals and command centers immediately activated their emergency generators to ensure continuity of services. This clearly demonstrates that, despite the short duration of the outage, the impact on infrastructure management was significant. The rapid resumption of essential services also demonstrated this importance.

The strategic importance of business continuity

In the face of such incidents, it is crucial for any organization to have a robust Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) in place to anticipate, manage and overcome such crises. Without resilience, companies risk incurring significant financial losses. They may also see a deterioration in their image with customers and partners.

Studies show that organizations certified in business continuity management reduce operational recovery time by an average of 35%, and significantly improve their response to crises. Investing in resilience is therefore a strategic choice for any business exposed to hazards.

AFNOR International: supporting the transition with ISO 22301 certification

To meet these challenges, AFNOR International is offering a flagship Business Continuity Management certification. This offer is based on the ISO 22301 standard. This internationally recognized certification enables :

  • Structuring your crisis procedures:ISO 22301 guides the implementation of a management system dedicated to continuity, guaranteeing that all preventive and corrective measures are in place to limit the impact of an incident.
  • Significantly reduce recovery time: Certified companies report improved responsiveness in the event of a crisis, reflected in a measurable reduction in business recovery time.
  • Strengthen the confidence of your stakeholders: Having an ISO 22301 certificate reassures your customers, partners and investors of your ability to manage emergency situations effectively.

For example, some companies in the critical infrastructure sector who have adopted this certification have recorded a reduction in recovery time of almost 30%, while ensuring continuity of service even in times of severe turbulence. This ongoing process of continuous improvement shows that anticipating operational risks is as essential as investing in physical or digital security.

The April 2025 blackout in Spain was a stark reminder that crisis resilience is now an essential component of organizational success. By adopting a proactive approach and setting up an ISO 22301-certified system, companies can not only reduce their vulnerabilities, but also turn a constraint into a strategic advantage.

For any organization wishing to secure its operations and ensure optimum responsiveness in the event of a crisis, it is essential to consider the business continuity management certification offered by AFNOR International. Discover our dedicated offer and make business continuity a strategic pillar of your development.

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