 Imagine this scene. You come into work on a Monday morning to find that there was a fire that started in a neighbouring building over the weekend and your office was badly damaged by heat, smoke and water from the fire brigade. You're stood in the car park wondering what you're going to do to rescue your business.
Because you've prepared for this sort of disaster you drive home and get your latest backup tape. Back to the wrecked office... now you're stood in the car park with a backup tape in your hand. Will you still be there when the business folds or will you execute your Business Continuity Plan?
Traditional disaster recovery planning typically focused on the IT department and it was often their job to put the plan in place; but limiting the plan to IT fails to recognise that the business is far more than just computers. Today a Business Continuity Plan takes the entire business into account including:
- People. Where are they going to work? Home basing workers, even temporarily, may have insurance implications as well as the more obvious communication issues. What do you do with workers who aren't directly involved with salvaging the business? How do you keep in touch with them?
- Process. Do you know what your main business processes are? How do you maintain the processes after a disaster?
- Suppliers. Do your suppliers know what to do if you expereience a disaster? Are they prepared to hold back suppliers for you? will they switch delivery locations?
- Customers. How do you continue to supply your customers? Are they prepared to wait while you get your business running again?
- Communications. How do you stay in touch with your staff? How do you prevent news of your disaster spreading through the 'wrong' channels?
Whilst continued IT support is a very important part of surviving a disaster it's only one part of the equation. Call Cork Technology Services on 023 88 39496 to find out more about forming a Business Continuity Plan. |
