A business impact analysis (BIA) is a process that identifies and evaluates the potential effects of disruptions to critical business operations as a result of a disaster, accident or emergency. The primary purpose of a BIA is to determine the criticality of information assets and the impact of their unavailability on the organization's mission, objectives and reputation. (From CISM Review Manual 15th Edition) References: CISM Review Manual 15th Edition, page 178, section 4.3.2.1.