Research points to huge discrepancy in business continuity planning within UK Nearly two-thirds (62 percent) of mid-sized UK businesses make no provision for staff to work from home in the event of disruption or disaster, while less than a third (29 percent) have updated their business continuity plans since 7 July. These are some of the findings of new research commissioned by Cable & Wireless. The research found that, despite this lack of preparedness: * 38 percent of companies either don’t back up data or only keep data onsite in the office; * London lags behind the rest of the UK’s mid-sized businesses in being prepared for disruption. While two in three (63 percent) mid-sized organisations claim to have business continuity plans in place, in London this falls, alarmingly, to one in three (33 percent). ICM Research polled 100 IT managers at mid-sized UK firms (30-500 employees), on behalf of Cable & Wireless. Mark Hanvey, chief security officer, Cable & Wireless, commented on the research findings: “With business continuity, it pays to be pessimistic – whilst large enterprises are more aware of the risks, small to medium businesses need to wake up and make preparations fast. As the research shows, many businesses aren’t even backing up data off-site – a simple and cost-effective means of protecting against data loss and ensuring business survival. “The technology now exists to allow staff to easily work from home as if in the office simply by plugging into a broadband connection. But an alarming number of small and medium businesses are failing to plan for when offices can’t be accessed or for network failures.” The survey has been endorsed by the Institute of Directors, whose senior policy adviser, Jim Norton, added: “We encourage our members – regardless of size - to think through the implications of major disruption. The tragic events of 7 July, as well as, for instance, the potential for fuel shortages, have shown that businesses are vulnerable to events beyond their control.” “You cannot legislate for every event, but directors do have a responsibility to develop contingency plans. We are calling for businesses to take business continuity planning in all its aspects, technology, people and processes, very seriously. That may mean backing-up data off-site, having access to alternative facilities, and giving employees the technology to work away from the office. “Business continuity planning is an important part of the day job. Companies shouldn’t be complacent and investment shouldn’t be put off until next year, next month or even next week.”
•Date: 30th September 2005 • Region: UK • Type:
Article •Topic: BC statistics |
