| Last summer in the UK we saw extensive area | | | | If you are involved in a disaster which also |
| flooding, local flash floods, even sewage coming up | | | | affects other businesses you will find it very |
| the toilets and drains to catch out the people who | | | | difficult to obtain services such as roofers, |
| had barricaded themselves in with sandbags. We | | | | builders, electricians, de-humidifier suppliers etc, |
| all saw these dreadful images on television | | | | because everybody else is demanding them. A |
| affecting homes and businesses. Some of the | | | | properly thought out BCP will have addressed |
| events had an indirect effect on business in that | | | | various options to help you recover, for example |
| employees either could not get into work or | | | | subscribing to a drying and restoration service as |
| stayed at home to safeguard their homes. | | | | a Priority User will help tremendously as will, for |
| We saw the epic battle to save an electricity | | | | example; establishing a dormant contract with |
| sub-station near Tewkesbury whilst we saw the | | | | emergency premises accommodation provider. |
| flood waters overcome the water treatment | | | | I must stress these are only examples to get |
| plant in the same area leaving thousands of | | | | you thinking, you will not know what is |
| homes without drinking water for a couple of | | | | appropriate until you have reviewed your business |
| weeks. How do you run a business without | | | | process, understood what you need to keep |
| electricity? | | | | going, understand how much downtime will cost |
| This is the stuff of nightmares and needs to be | | | | you and work out what you can do about it. |
| taken on board when thinking about the continuity | | | | So far I've outlined topical disasters to help you |
| of your business; you know that business that | | | | think about BCP. You need an open mind when |
| you put your life and soul into, that business that | | | | thinking about BCP, always look at all of the |
| pays the mortgage for you and your employees. | | | | possible events and the ramifications. Try this one: |
| So why is it so many businesses fail following a | | | | it's 2.30pm on a week day afternoon, the fire |
| disaster such as the recent floods. It's not just | | | | alarm is sounded, there is some smoke and you |
| the floods; the massive explosion at the | | | | all evacuate safely, it's raining and very cold. The |
| Buncefield fuel depot in December 2005 also | | | | Fire Brigade arrives and the senior fire officer |
| destroyed a number of unrelated businesses and | | | | advises you that you cannot re-enter your |
| caused structural damage to dozens of others. Do | | | | premises for the rest of the week. Question - |
| you have the ability to recover from just such an | | | | what do you do with all your staff, some of |
| event? | | | | whom have no purses, wallets, car keys or |
| They fail simply because little or no provision has | | | | outdoor clothing with them? Think about it, as the |
| been made for Business Continuity Planning (BCP), | | | | employer you are responsible for your staff at |
| some business's who do look at BCP sometimes | | | | work. Your BCP should cover this situation; if it |
| grossly underestimate the worst case, others | | | | does not then I suggest that it should. |
| consider a weekly back-up tape lodged with a | | | | Investing in a BCP is essential and communicating |
| neighbouring business or stored at the home will | | | | that you have a well maintained and exercised |
| get them by. | | | | BCP in place with your staff, customers, |
| Sadly all too often this is insufficient to rebuild a | | | | shareholders, accountant and your banker will go |
| business, insurance is essential but it can take too | | | | a long way in building confidence in your business, |
| long and in the meantime your productivity/output | | | | you might even sleep through the next gale. |
| has fallen, your customers have gone elsewhere | | | | (c) Copyright Kennet Security Consulting Ltd |
| and potentially so have your staff. | | | | 2008. All rights reserved. |