Most UK firms mistakenly believe their business
continuity plans are watertight, yet they are so leaky they’d sink
if put to the test.
Although 80% of the 100 firms surveyed by Viatel claim to have a
business continuity plan, 62% admit this doesn’t include their
phone network. They aim to rely on mobile phones, leaving customers
with no way of contacting them through normal channels.
“Many companies focus on protecting IT systems but then forget
about voice, which is of equal importance when it comes to business
continuity. Often when a problem occurs the first thing customers
want to do is talk to someone,” says Michael Davies, product
manager at Viatel.
This lack of customer attention could cost firms business,
particularly as almost half the respondents demand a business
continuity plan as part of their contract.
Cost seems to be a major factor in their failure to shore up
their plans, as almost half of the IT directors in the survey say
business continuity costs are too high.
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