Crisis Management vs Business Continuity: What’s the Difference?

Crisis management and business continuity are often used interchangeably, but they serve distinct purposes in risk management. Crisis management focuses on immediate response to disruptive events that threaten safety, reputation, or legal standing. Business continuity focuses on keeping essential operations running or restoring them quickly during and after disruptions. While crisis management is reactive and communication-driven, business continuity is proactive and operational. Together, they help businesses manage commercial liability exposures, protect stakeholder trust, and reduce financial losses during unexpected events.