BUSINESS STANDARDS
is the quarterly magazine of BSI Group, highlighting the vital role that standards play in today's business environment. Regular features include interviews with leading business figures, as well as news on the latest developments in management systems and standards.
Global business continuity management accreditation for BSI
20 Jun 2008
Topics: Business continuity, BS 25999
BSI Management Systems has become one of the first organizations to be independently accredited to deliver global certification against BS 25999 Business Continuity Management. BSI's accreditation has been granted by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service), the globally recognized accreditation body.
BSI begun working with a wide range of international clients to develop an assessment and certification programme several months in advance of the final publication of BS 25999, in anticipation of the market demand for certification.
BSI was the first certification body in the world to register clients to the standard in November 2007. A series of worldwide launch events followed introducing BS 25999 certification, which to date have attracted thousands of attendees. Current clients stem from a range of diverse industries across many countries including the UK, Korea, Japan, Brazil and India.
"This is another example of BSI's commitment to sustain its leadership role in the world market by helping our clients manage their risk," says BSI Management Systems Managing Director Flemming Norklit.
"We have seen a wide range of organizations asking us for certification to the standard, including governments, banks, retailers and ICT businesses. Now we are able to offer a fully-accredited scheme, we expect demand to rise even more rapidly while passing the rigorous UKAS accreditation process means that BSI can demonstrate independent compliance with the exacting standards for competency and impartiality laid down in ISO 17021, the standard for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems."
"From today accredited BS 25999 certification from BSI provides the independent assurance that organizations really do meet BCM best practice and so are ready to protect their businesses," he adds.
For more information on Business Continuity: www.bsi-global.com/en/Assessment-and-certification-services/management-systems/Standards-and-Schemes/BS-25999/
Business Standards © 2008. Editorial produced by Caspian Publishing in association with the British Standards Institution. Editorial opinions expressed on are not necessarily those of BSI Group or Caspian Publishing. Neither Caspian Publishing nor BSI Group accept responsibility for advertising or editorial content, nor for that appearing on linked third-party websites. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden without written permission from BSI Group or Caspian Publishing.
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In May 2008, BSI British Standards was presented with the Continuity Insurance & Risk (CIR) Award for Industry Advancement for its work in developing BS 25999, in recognition of the outstanding contribution made by BSI to the world of Business Continuity Management. CIR is the UK's leading bi-monthly risk management and insurance journal. This ceremony marked the tenth anniversary of the awards, which recognize excellence in business continuity and operational risk management.
Question: What impact do you think BCM could have on business insurance in the future?
It is essential that any business suffering a disaster is able to continue as near normal trading in the shortest possible time period to survive. To achieve this, an organization should implement a comprehensive well-tested business continuity plan (BCP) as a first step. Insurance should be viewed as an extension to the BCP process, not an alternative.
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