How Resilient is Your Business to Disaster?

Having a sound Business Continuity Management Plan can double a business' changes of surviving a major disaster.

Depending on the size and nature of your business, you may require more or less comprehensive plans to be in place. By following the links to the UK Resilience website you can self-assess your business to see how prepared you already are and find out more information on whether you should have further measures in place.

http://www.londonprepared.gov.uk/businesscontinuity/assessingyourrisk/  takes you through a process of self assessment to see whether you are at risk. It then has advice and guidance that is tailored to your size of business, whether you employ less than 10 staff or more than 250. It provides guidance on the principles of creating a plan - then testing the plan and training your staff. 

There are organisations which may be able to assist you with business continuity planning. When selecting an organisation or consultant you should consider: 

  1. professional qualifications/certification;
  2. membership of a professional organisation;
  3. experience in relevant aspects of BCM;
  4. track record of completing similar tasks; and
  5. adequate professional indeminity insurance.  

The Continuity Forum provides a service designed to help connect consultants with clients - Continuity Signpost. Continuity Signpost lists individuals and organisations who provide consultancy services covering business continuity and its related disicplines - link to Continuity Signpost.

The Business Continuity Institute provides a certification scheme for business continuity professionals. It publishes a list of consultants it deems to be experienced, qualified and competent. Click here to link to the list of consultants.

Further guidance is avaliable, please see the links below for more information: 

Click here for information on the flood risk to your business and how to plan for it.

MI5 has information on how to make your business resilient against terrorism and other security threats. 

The London Prepared website has a variety of guidance for all sizes of businesses covering Risk Management, Business Continuity, Terrorism, Bombs and many more. It also has information about forthcoming conferences and seminars. 

The Business Continuity Institute provides best practice advice and guidance which is available to download online at www.thebci.org/ 

Further information about emergency planning