A seminar organised by Internet solutions company Scotland Online in partnership with SunGard Availability Services has given Scottish organisations a business continuity wake-up call.

Representatives from a range of public and private sector organisations including NHS Fife, Forth Ports, McGrigors LLP and Scottish Water attended last week’s event at Scotland Online’s data centre in Dundee where David Hunter, executive chairman of Scotland Online told delegates:

“Business continuity management isn’t simply about preparing for major events like floods and terrorist attacks. Simple unforeseen contingencies such as street workers accidentally cutting through cabling, or an interruption in sewerage services can impact on an organisation’s ability to function properly.

“Yet despite the need to be ready for such infrequent but inevitable events, the vast majority of Scottish businesses are completely unprepared. Hopefully the introduction of the new British Standard [BS 25999] will help redress the balance and ensure that businesses have the capability to continue operating in the wake of a ‘disaster’.”

Keith Tilley, UK managing director & senior vice-president Europe, SunGard Availability Services, added:

“Information availability, which encompasses all of the best practices championed in BS 25999, helps companies become more competitive. Not only does IA ensure companies can continue to grow, even in the teeth of disaster, the approach also offers a strategic framework for making the organization more risk-tolerant and agile.

“The fact that adoption of business continuity best practices remains so low across the county is, therefore, a worry. We hope our education programme, in partnership with Scotland Online, will help turn this picture around across Scotland.”

www.scotlandonline.co.uk
www.sungard.co.uk

•Date: 16th October 2007• Region:UK •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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