Almost two thirds of UK businesses arewell prepared for serious IT failure,
according to a survey of top companies by BSI British
Standards.
The survey of FTSE 250 companies found UK businesses were
increasingly prepared for disruption or disaster.
Most companies (81%) said they could last up to a week before
feeling serious detrimental effects of disruption or disaster and
47% were prepared for supply chain failure.
The survey also found 71% recognised the importance of
business continuity management (BCM) in staying competitive and
winning new business, a 10% increase in the past year.
"The scale of risk and opportunity in the FTSE 250 are enormous
and these organisations are recognising that BCM has to be at the
heart of their operations," said Mike Low, director of BSI British
Standards.
The findings were made public on the same day as the publication
of the certification requirements for the new business continuity
management standard, BS-25999 by BSI British Standards.
"Without BCM standards in place, infrastructure and supply
chains may be less secure and employment and economic growth placed
at risk," said Chris Green, chairman of the Business Continuity
Institute.
UK business
continuity practitioners have welcomed the publication of the
specification, saying the standard will give companies clear
guidelines on putting together a continuity plan as well as a clear
benchmark to achieve.
The survey showed that events of the past year had prompted many
businesses to reconsider their approach to BCM, with 42% doing so
after the London and Glasgow terror alerts in June and 34% after
the widespread flooding this summer.