2010 Considerations in Continuity and Disaster Recovery Strategy

Every corporation has to worry about disruptionspandemic? And if a corporation has retail outlets,
in their supply chain, union strikes, and massiveare they able to sell their products online in order
swings in consumer buying behavior. Often, theyto stay in business.
can hedge their bets against such issues, andMore importantly for a Corporation is shareholders
luckily, usually there is advanced warnings ofequity and quarterly profits. In other words, can
problems that are on the horizon. Of course,they sell enough of their products online not only
some problems and challenges in our society andto stay in business, but to meet their quarterly
civilization or unfortunate future events that mightobjectives, without causing their stock price to
be predictable; are not always conquerable.collapse? We see the 2010 trends in continuity
Take for instance, a Swine Flu Pandemic,and disaster recovery strategies to include major
everyone knows it's possible, but it is not likepandemics.
other disruptions. If there is an earthquake, aWe also see major think tanks, and strategic
flood, a fire at one of your warehouses, or otherplanners working together to come up with a
type of natural disaster, generally mostgame plan in advance; or at least a plan to help
corporations have a continuity and disasterthem get through the first few weeks of crisis. If
recovery strategy for such things. But, a Swineyou'll recall Mexico City shut down all businesses
Flu Pandemic is a completely different problem.and government operations for three days,
Many corporations are set up where theirimagine the economic if that were to happen in
workers can work from home, this means theythe United States for three months?
can work without coming to work or coming inIs your company ready? Does your corporation
contact with any other employees. The questioneven have a plan? That is the question that our
is can a corporation run completely Net-centric likethink tank asked me to ask you today. Please
and for months on end in the case of such aconsider all this.