BSI British Standardshas released a
standard forcontinuity for information and communications
technology (ICT).
"ICT continuity is a crucial element of an overall BCM strategy
and will help an organisation survive a crisis, said MikeLow,
director of BSI British Standards.
Customers are more likely to desert suppliers if they are not
immediately responsiveto system problems, said Ron Miller, managing
consultant at SunGard Availability Services.
"If goods, services or systems are down even for a short period
of time, the result for the affected business can be critical," he
said.
The
BS 25777 standard gives recommendations for ICT continuity
within the wider business
continuity
BS 25999 standard.
The new standard is a code of practice that shows organisations
how best to prevent and manage disruptions to its ICT systems,
including e-mail and internet access.
The code of practice is based on input from private industry,
government and non-governmental organisations, said Low.
"We have brought together a wide range of expertise to produce a
robust best practice guidance document which should help
organisations regardless of size, complexity or sector," he
said.
Recommendations cover areas such as the competency of ICT staff,
raising awareness of ICT continuity, and understanding critical ICT
services.