______________ are individuals or groups that have an interest in the organization's performance.

In the context of ISO 22301 and standardized management systems, "stakeholders" (interchangeably referred to as "interested parties") are defined as persons or organizations that can affect, be affected by, or perceive themselves to be affected by a decision or activity. Because their interests intersect with the organization's operations, they inherently have a vested interest in the organization's performance, resilience, and ability to maintain business continuity during disruptions. Identifying these groups is a mandatory requirement under Clause 4.2 of ISO 22301.

A. Individuals: This is too broad; not all individuals globally have a vested interest in a specific organization's performance.
B. Customers: Customers are only one specific subset of stakeholders. This option fails to include other interested parties like regulators, employees, or investors.
D. Competitor: While competitors monitor performance, the comprehensive term for all groups with a vested interest in the organization's outcomes is "stakeholders."

1. International Organization for Standardization. (2021). ISO 22300:2021 Security and resilience — Vocabulary. Clause 3.1.122 (Definition of interested party / stakeholder).

2. International Organization for Standardization. (2019). ISO 22301:2019 Security and resilience — Business continuity management systems — Requirements. Clause 4.2 (Understanding the needs and expectations of interested parties).