Institute of Directors urges UK companies to draw up business continuity plans The IoD survey showed that directors have adopted a variety of security measures in recent years: * 72 percent allocate something to security, with the majority spending between 1-5 percent of turnover. 20 percent of members had increased expenditure on security since September 11th 2001 . * 69 percent routinely check the references and documentation of staff and contractors when recruiting and hiring. * 52 percent had carried out a risk assessment to identify possible threats and to assess their vulnerability to attack. * 48 percent had taken steps to improve the physical security of buildings, for example, by installing locks on windows and doors, CCTV, alarms and lighting. * 47 percent had improved security at access points by introducing passes for staff, swipe card entry systems, systems for booking in visitors, searching bags or hiring more security staff. * 29 percent had improved perimeter security, for example, by installing security gates, barriers or fences. * 17 percent had improved mail-handling procedures, for instance, by establishing a mailroom away from their premises and training staff in emergency procedures Commenting on the survey, Richard Wilson, head of business policy at the IoD, said: "Managers and owners are concerned with terrorism because of the threat that it poses to employees, to customers and to the viability of their businesses. Our survey shows that directors take the issue of security seriously, but that more needs to be done. 49 percent of businesses do not have any contingency plans to help them cope with a terrorist attack and 23 percent spend virtually nothing on security. In the light of the warnings from the Government and security services all firms should draw up business continuity plans, test them regularly and train staff to act upon them.”
•Date:
21st February 2005 • Region: UK •Type:
Article •Topic:
BC statistics |
