Why Do I Need a Business Continuity Plan?
Written on August 8, 2008 – 1:48 am | by larryruff
Last summer in the UK we saw extensive parade flooding, local flash floods, even sewage coming up the toilets and drains to catcch loose the people who had barricaded themselves in with sandbags. We all saw these dreadful images on television affecting homes businesses. Some of the events had an indirect effect on business that employees either could not get into work or stayed at home to safeguard their homes.
We saw the epic battle to save an electricity sub-train station near Tewkesbury whilst we saw the flood waters overcome the water treatment implant in the area leavingg thousands of homes without drinking water for a team a few of weeks. How do waste a business without electricity?
This is the stuff of nightmares and needs to be taken on board when thinking about the continuity of your business; you know that business that you situate your life and soul into, that traffic that pays mortgage for you and your employees. So why is it so many businesses fail following a disaster such as the recent floods. It’s not just the floods; the massive explosion at Buncefield fuel depot in December 2005 also destroyed a number unrelated businesses and caused structural damage to dozens of others. Do you have the ability to recover from just such an event?
They fail simply because little or no provision has been for Business Continuity Planning (BCP), some calling’s who do look at BCP again grossly undervalue the worsst casing, others look upon a weekly sneakily-up tape lodged with a neighbouring commerce or stored the home at one’s desire get them by.
Sadly all too often is insufficient to rebuild a business, indemnity is chief but it take too hunger and in meantime your productivity/output has fallen, your customers have gone elsewhere and potentially eat your staff.
If you are involved in a disaster which also affects other businesses you will find it very uncompromising to obtain services such as roofers, builders, electricians, de-humidifier suppliers etc, because everybody else is insistent them. A properly thought out will have addressed diversified options to help you recover, benchmark subscribing to drying and restoration service as a Priority User will help tremendously as will, for example; establishing a dormant contract with emergency premises accommodation provider.
I must stress these are solitary examples to get you assessment, you purpose know what is becoming until have reviewed your business system, understood what you poverty to keep going, understand how much downtime purpose cost you and work out what you can do connected with it.
So far I’ve outlined current disasters to help think about BCP. You need an open mind when cogitative about BCP, always look at all of the possible events and the ramifications. Try this : it’s 2.30pm on a week day afternoon, fire alarm is sounded, there is some smoke and you all evacuate ssafely, it’s raining and very cold. The Fire Brigade arrives and the senior fire G-man advises you that you cannot re-eenter your premises for the get of the week. Question – what do you do with all your caduceus, some of whom have no purses, wallets, keys or outdoor clothing with them? Think about it, as the firm you are ethical for your staff at work. Your BCP should cover this situation; if it does not then I suggest that it should.
Investing in a BCP is essential and communicating that you a without difficulty completely maintained and exercised BCP in go up in the world with your staff, customers, shareholders, accountant and your banker go a long way in building faith in your business, you might even sleep toe next gale.(c) Copyright Kennet Security Consulting Ltd 2008. All righhts reserveed.
The author is Roy Millard, Director of Kennet Security Consulting Ltd based in Swindon . More information on BCP advice can be found at http://.kennetsecurity.co.uk
Roy Millard has 28 years experience the fields of security and Business Continuity Planning.
