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2005 BUSINESS CONTINUITY NEWS

Basel Committee publishes consultation paper on ‘high-level principles for business continuity’
The principles promote a ‘common base level of resilience across national boundaries’.
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•Date: 22nd Dec 2005 • Region: World • Type: Article •Topic: Financial sector
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Global Study looks at regional differences in contact / call centre disaster recovery preparedness
North American Call Centres lagging behind; Asia-Pacific and Africa/Middle East regions leading the way.
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•Date: 8th Dec 2005 • Region: Various • Type: Article •Topic: Telecoms continuity
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European insurance companies ignoring business resilience investments when setting premiums
Overlooking this fundamental factor means insurers may be setting premiums incorrectly.
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•Date: 6th Dec 2005 • Region: UK / W.Europe • Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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European project takes new approach to information security
Virtual security framework is independent of both devices and networks.
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•Date: 29th Nov 2005 • Region: W.Europe • Type: Article •Topic: ISM
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European Commission adopts a green paper on critical infrastructure protection
Outlines prevention, preparedness and response options.
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•Date: 25th Nov 2005 • Region: W.Europe/UK • Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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Nordic security market reviewed
Security continues to be a priority in most Nordic organisations, with the total market for IT security products and services growing to euro610 million in 2004, according to IDC research. Even though growth didn't reach previous levels it is still outperforming most other segments in the IT industry, at more than 10 percent.
•Date: 24th Nov 2005 •Region: W.Europe •Type: Briefing •Topic: ISM
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Global Health Security Initiative agrees bioterror and pandemic ‘flu action plans
Members of the Global Health Security Initiative met recently in Rome to discuss the international response to deliberate actions, such as terrorism, and naturally occurring threats to global health, such as pandemic 'flu.
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•Date: 22nd Nov 2005 • Region: Various • Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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IBM invests 8.6m euro in Ireland recovery centre
siliconrepublic.com has reported that IBM will today reveal plans to develop a major new business recovery and data centre facility in Ireland. The new facility will be based at the company’s technology campus in Mulhuddart, Ireland.
•Date: 17th Nov 2005 •Region: W.Europe •Type: Briefing •Topic: Recovery facilities
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Continuity Central pandemic planning survey results
The vast majority of business continuity managers believe that it is important that pandemic impacts are covered by BCPs - however levels of preparation vary greatly from sector to sector.
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•Date: 11th Nov 2005 •Region: World •Type: Article •Topic: BC statistics
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Many European companies housing mission critical equipment in unsuitable premises
41 percent of companies surveyed across Europe are putting their mission critical IT systems at risk due to this issue.
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•Date: 8th Nov 2005 • Region: UK/W.Europe • Type: Article •Topic: IT continuity
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EC steps up pandemic preparedness planning
The European Commission is preparing a number of initiatives which aim to help Member States co-ordinate their actions.
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•Date: 20th Oct 2005 • Region: W.Europe/UK • Type: Article •Topic: Emergency plan.
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European Civil Protection exercise to simulate earthquake in Sicily
This weekend, civil protection teams from Italy, France, Greece, Portugal, Sweden and the United Kingdom will take part in a civil protection exercise simulating a disaster response to an earthquake in Sicily, Italy.
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•Date: 14th Oct 2005 • Region: W.Europe • Type: Article •Topic: Emergency planning
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IXEurope expands again
New Frankfurt IXDatacentre provides the potential for 700 recovery positions.
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•Date: 11th Oct 2005 • Region: W.Europe • Type: Article •Topic: Recovery facilities
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Finland government proposes legislation to enable faster text alerts for use in emergencies
Finland's government has proposed changes to data protection legislation to enable authorities to demand that mobile phone operators send out text message based emergency warnings to citizens. Read the story.
•Date: 7th October 2005 •Region: W.Europe •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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Irish government business continuity plans criticised
The government sector is more aware of the need for business continuity management than any other sector but is poor at acting on the strategy, an IDC survey has found. 84 percent of Irish government departments are aware of the need to have business continuity plans in place, but more than a third admitted that the level of testing of their business continuity strategy was inadequate. Read the story
•Date: 23rdSeptember 2005 • Region: W.Europe • Type: Briefing •Topic: BC general
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BCI and DRII undertaking joint business continuity Professional Practices review
Revised Professional Practices document to be published in March 2006.
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•Date: 20th September 2005 • Region: Various • Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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Avian influenza a real and growing pandemic threat
European Union Member States to review contingency plans and step up surveillance.
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•Date: 26th August 2005 • Region: UK / W.Europe • Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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Central Europe braced for further flooding
Severe flooding which has been affecting much of central Europe could be exacerbated today, with further rain forecast before an improvement sets in later on Friday. Romania, Switzerland and Austria has been particularly hard-hit with many people evacuated and several deaths reported.
•Date: 25th August 2005 •Region: W.Europe •Type: Briefing •Topic: DR general
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Luxembourg government selects AlarmTILT for crisis communication
The Luxembourg government has selected M-PLIFY's AlarmTILT Emergency solution to instantly reach key people in emergency situations. The solution, provided as a fully managed service, has been deployed in several departments. The government intends to use the first six months to get valuable feedback from key users. At a later stage, AlarmTILT should be fully integrated into a dedicated governmental IP network. www.alarmtilt.com
•Date: 16th August 2005 •Region: W.Europe •Type: Briefing •Topic: Crisis comms
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European Commission outlines new anti-terrorism research initiatives
Thirteen new security research projects outlined. Anti-terrorism research funding to increase from 15m euro in 2006 to 250m euro in 2007.
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•Date: 9th August 2005 • Region: W.Europe/UK• Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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IXEurope wins Global Equities business continuity contract
IXEurope has announced that it has won a contract with Global Equities, the Paris based investment specialist, to provide enhanced business continuity to its trading network. The three-year contract is IXEurope's first business continuity client outside of Germany, following the acquisition of leading German Business Continuity player GIC in May this year. www.ixeurope.com
•Date: 29th July 2005 • Region: W.Europe • Type: Briefing •Topic: BC markets
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Flood protection: European Commission starts public consultation programme
Have your say on forthcoming EU flood risk reduction programs.
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•Date: 21st July 2005 • Region: W.Europe/UK • Type: Article •Topic: DR general
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Addressing business continuity during mergers or acquisitions
Companies that are preparing for a corporate merger or acquisition will need to address some formidable and distinctive BC challenges.
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•Date: 21st July 2005 •Region: World •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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Extraordinary Meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council: report
Various actions were agreed to strengthen security against terrorism: include a Europe-wide critical infrastructure protection programme and plans for EU Member States to undertake regular joint counter-terrorism exercises to test resilience.
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•Date: 14th July 2005 • Region: UK/W.Europe • Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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France steps up terror alert level for Bastille Day
The French government has placed the country on high alert for today’s (14 July) national Bastille Day celebration. French citizens are warned to be alert and vigilant, in case terrorists use the day as a focus for attacks.
•Date: 14th July 2005 • Region: W.Europe • Type: Briefing •Topic: Terrorism
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Many European countries increase alert levels
The ‘Secret Organization of al-Qaeda in Europe’, the network which claimed responsibility for yesterday’s attack on London, has threatened that Denmark and Italy may be the next countries on its hit list.
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•Date: 8th July 2005 • Region: W.Europe • Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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Iberian companies facing drought-related business continuity problems
Scheduled power outages, water shortages and widespread forest fires all having an impact.
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•Date: 22nd June 2005 • Region: W.Europe • Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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The testing conundrum…
A consistent result of business continuity research is a general lack of commitment to testing and exercising plans. Why is this the case? David Honour explores.
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•Date: 10th June 2005 •Region: World •Type: Article •Topic: Testing and exercising
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Permanent deep-sea sensors set-up to monitor seismic activities
Europe’s first deep-sea seismic sensor will help to provide early warning of tsunamis.
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•Date: 8th June 2005 • Region: W.Europe • Type: Article •Topic: Emergency planning
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German business continuity company, GIC, has been bought by IXEurope
IXEurope plc has announced that it has acquired German business continuity provider Gesellschaft für Informationstechnologie und Consulting mbH (GIC mbH) for an undisclosed cash sum. With offices and data centres in Frankfurt-am-Main and Munich, GIC mbH provides business continuity services to financial and enterprise clients in the region. Clients include Merrill Lynch and AlpInvest, a €20 billion European private equity fund. www.ixeurope.com www.gicmbh.com
•Date: 20th May 2005 • Region: W.Europe • Type: Article •Topic: BC markets
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The business continuity message is getting through…
In a recent global survey of company executives, only 8 percent felt that business continuity planning was not important to their company.
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•Date: 19th May 2005 • Region: Various • Type: Article •Topic: BC statistics
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EU and US hold high-level meeting on border and transport security
The third EU-US meeting of the Policy Dialogue on Border and Transport Security is taking place today in Brussels.
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•Date: 19th May 2005 • Region: Various • Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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Finance sector struggles with e-mail compliance management and security
According to a global survey by BT and MORI.
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•Date: 10th May 2005 • Region: Various •Type: Article •Topic: IT continuity
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Grenada situation provides wide-area disaster recovery lessons
Earlier this week the United Nations highlighted the continued disaster recovery struggle taking place in Grenada following last year’s Hurricane Ivan. David Honour highlights the lessons that the business continuity profession can learn from the situation in the Caribbean island.
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•Date: 6th May 2005 •Region: World •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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Restructuring plan revealed by IBM
IBM, one of the big-three global business continuity and disaster recovery suppliers, has revealed restructuring plans which will result in up to 13,000 job losses, mostly in Europe.
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•Date: 5th May 2005 • Region: Various •Type: Article •Topic: BC markets
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Avian influenza: EC proposes updated measures aimed at preventing epidemics
The European Commission recently adopted a proposal for a Directive establishing updated EU-level measures on the control of avian influenza.
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•Date: 5th May 2005 • Region: UK/W.Europe •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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European Commission sets up expert group to advise on corporate governance developments
Group to advise the Commission on strengthening shareholders’ rights and modernising company law.
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•Date: 29th April 2005 • Region: W.Europe/UK •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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HP wins $48.5 million anti-terrorism contract with European Commission
HP has signed a $48.5 million contract with the European Commission in consortium with Steria to develop two important central information systems, the second generation of the Schengen Information System (SIS II) and the Visa Information System (VIS). HP's own disaster recovery capabilities were an important factor in the EC’s decision to award it the contract. Read press release
•Date: 28th April 2005 • Region: W.Europe/UK •Type: Briefing •Topic: Terrorism
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Is climate change a business continuity issue?
Whatever the cause, most scientists agree that climate change is taking place. David Honour asks what the implications are for business continuity managers.
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•Date: 22nd April 2005 •Region: World •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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European Commission reinforces its disaster response capacity
The EC has adopted proposals for a package of measures to reinforce the European Union’s disaster response capacity. The three main elements are:
* New assessment and planning teams to strengthen the effective delivery of long term aid.
* Strengthening the EU’s civil protection mechanism: immediate measures include the setting up of national teams for European responses to major disasters and the improvement of EU-level training.
* Strengthening the processes involved in the delivery of humanitarian aid.
•Date: 22nd April 2005 • Region: W.Europe •Type: Briefing •Topic: DR general
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European Commission to undertake Europe wide pandemic response exercise
Will test crisis management, pandemic response plans and inter-operability.
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•Date: 14th April 2005 • Region: W.Europe/UK •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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Belgian financial sector regulator publishes business continuity guidance
Provides an overview of best practice in business continuity and gives advice on recovery centre usage.
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•Date: 8th April 2005 • Region: W.Europe •Type: Article •Topic: Financial sector
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European Commission prioritises security and anti-terrorism research
Security has been included in the list of priority research themes in the EC proposal for the 7th Framework Programme for Research & Development (2007-2013).
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•Date: 8th April 2005 • Region: W.Europe/UK •Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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BCI announces International National Rehearsal Day
The Business Continuity Institute is asking all governments and enterprises to use 19th March 2006 as a focal point for BC rehearsals.
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•Date: 18th March 2005 • Region: World •Type: Article •Topic: BC testing and exercising
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TeleCity and managed Storage International extend backup and recovery services partnership
Services to now be available to enterprises from centres in London, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt. Read press release
•Date: 18th March 2005 • Region: UK/W.Europe •Type: Briefing •Topic: IT continuity
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European businesses have false sense of IT security 
91 percent of European IT managers believe their company has complete or good IT security, yet 70 percent leave security gaps open to many common malicious internet threats according to the recent Websense ‘Stress of Security’ survey. www.websense.com
•Date: 18th March 2005 • Region: W.Europe •Type: Briefing •Topic: ISM
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Business continuity awareness raising: taking it to the next level
Various statistical and anecdotal evidence points to an increase in the awareness of business continuity, but how do we take this further? David Honour comments.
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•Date: 15th March 2005 •Region: World •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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Sarbanes-Oxley and outsourcing : time is running out for non-US companies
The issue of SOX remains a hot topic, especially for non-US companies listed in the US.
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•Date: 11th March 2005 •Region: Various •Type: Article •Topic: Operational risk
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Forrester Research identifies top IT Priorities for European enterprises in 2005
Will focus efforts on infrastructure consolidation and security.
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•Date: 8th March 2005 • Region: W.Europe/UK •Type: Article •Topic: IT continuity
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It’s business continuity acquisition week!
HP buys Schlumberger Business Continuity Services Ireland ; Adam Continuity sold to Centerprise; SunGard acquires Vivista.
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•Date: 3rd March 2005 • Region: UK/W.Europe •Type: Article •Topic: BC markets
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Corporate instant messaging usage: opportunities and threats
The results of a joint Ovum and EEMA survey.
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•Date: 25th February 2005 • Region: UK/W.Europe •Type: Article •Topic: ISM
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Crisis communications case study: Deloitte
Following a fire at the Deloitte Office Tower in Madrid , Deloitte issued the following crisis communications media statement...
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•Date: 22nd February 2005 • Region: W.Europe •Type: Article •Topic: Crisis comms
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Business Continuity Institute publishes Awareness Week support tools
Resources will help organisations make the most of Business Continuity Awareness Week.
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•Date: 21st February 2005 • Region: W.Europe •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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Ontrack Data Recovery expands operations in Europe
Due to the growing demand for data recovery solutions in the European market, Ontrack Data Recovery has announced it is to open new offices in Katowice , Poland and Vienna , Austria. www.ontrackdatarecovery.com
•Date: 21st February 2005 • Region: W.Europe •Type: Briefing •Topic: BC markets
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European countries launch joint drive to combat spam
Anti-spam enforcement authorities in 13 European countries have agreed to share information and pursue complaints across borders.
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•Date: 11th February 2005 • Region: W.Europe / UK •Type: Article •Topic: ISM
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EU sets out global climate change mitigation agenda
New business and community resilience measures will be necessary.
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•Date: 10th February 2005 • Region: W.Europe/UK •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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Basel II will be the focus of IT investments for Western European Banks in 2006 and 2007
According to Financial Insights.
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•Date: 8th February 2005 • Region: W.Europe/UK •Type: Article •Topic: Operational risk
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New research programme aims to increase EU-wide resilience
European Security Research Programme will explore various resiliency and protection measures which can be taken to help protect EU governments, businesses and citizens.
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•Date: 8th February 2005 • Region: W.Europe/UK •Type: Article •Topic: Terrorism
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BCI publishes revised ‘Good Practice in Business Continuity Management’ guidelines
The new guidelines have been extensively rewritten.
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•Date: 8th February 2005 • Region: UK/World •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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The ins and outs of workplace recovery
Most companies struggle with workplace recovery strategy - Andrew McCrackan offers some help.
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•Date: 4th February 2005 •Region: World •Type: Article •Topic: Recovery facilities
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Climate change cards put on the table
Climate change is a direct and indirect business continuity threat. Mitigation is possible but only if we all take responsibility.
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• Date: 3rd February 2005 • Region: World •Type: Article • Topic: BC general
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De Nederlandsche Bank publishes business continuity assessment framework
New guidelines will help firms active in the Netherlands' financial markets benchmark their business continuity management activities. Longer term the guidelines are expected to be adopted by all Euro-zone countries.
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•Date: 1st February 2005 • Region: W.Europe •Type: Article •Topic: Financial sector
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World Economic Forum warned about ‘boiling frog’ syndrome
Many companies ‘in denial about the daunting array of risks they face’.
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•Date: 28th January 2005 • Region: Various •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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European IT directors believe that data storage is critical to enterprise business continuity: survey
Also finds that contrary to popular belief, legislation is NOT driving European companies to review their storage policies.
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•Date: 20th January 2005 • Region: UK/W.Europe •Type: Article •Topic: IT continuity
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Stress testing continuing to evolve as a practical risk management tool
Says the Committee on the Global Financial System.
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•Date: 20th January 2005 • Region: Various •Type: Article •Topic: Financial sector
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Comment: Does the business continuity model start in the wrong place?
Do the standard BC models leave organisations that are developing their first plans vulnerable for too long?
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•Date: 14th January 2005 •Region: World •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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Nordic IT security overview
IDC survey shows that the idea of IT security as a business enabler rather than an insurance policy is beginning to take root.
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•Date: 11th January 2005 • Region: W.Europe •Type: Article •Topic: ISM
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Communicable diseases: business continuity issues
Continued concern over Avian flu and the threat of a global influenza pandemic make planning for such eventualities a high priority. Jeremy Haworth, MBCI, outlines the lessons he learned during the 2003 SARS crisis.
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•Date: 4th Jan 2005 •Region: World •Type: Article •Topic: BC general
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UK and Ireland spending on IT security expected to double in 2005
According to IDC research.
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•Date: 4th January 2005 • Region: UK/W.Europe •Type: Article •Topic: ISM
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2004 Western Europe business continuity news archive
2003 Western Europe business continuity news archive