No excuses: CBI warns Scottish businesses to take business continuity seriously

CBI Scotland’s Deputy Director David Lonsdale has told businesses in the country not to ignore business continuity issues. The threat of bird flu, terrorism and natural disasters, amongst other business continuity threats, can all strike Scotland, so "There is no excuse not to have a plan" warned Mr. Lonsdale, speaking at the opening of ICM Computer Group’s new £14m Scotland Central Business Continuity centre and headquarters in Hamilton International Technology Park.

“While there is a general recognition that business continuity is important, often little is done in practice to make it happen,” continued Mr. Lonsdale. “There is a real threat to businesses in Scotland.”

The threat of indirect as well as direct impacts from disasters needs to be taken into consideration. “Take Hurricane Katrina,” said Mr. Lonsdale. “Despite being hundreds of miles away, several Scottish firms had IT servers based in Florida meaning they were directly affected. The advice and service ICM provides is becoming increasingly invaluable and there is little excuse for Scottish firms not to prepare and plan ahead.”

In closing, Mr Lonsdale proclaimed: “Business Continuity is rapidly becoming one of the key competencies of a successful firm and there is compelling business logic to being prepared for major disruptive events and ensuring your firm has a future.”

Steve Wainwright, ICM’s chief executive, supported Mr. Lonsdale’s comments. "I am delighted that the CBI are driving home the importance of business availability to the Scottish business community," he said.

•Date: 24th March 2006• Region: UK • Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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