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.
Vodafone UK achieves
certification to BS 25999
06 Nov 2008
Topics: Business continuity, BS 25999
Vodafone UK has become the world's first mobile operator to achieve certification to BS 25999 Business Continuity Management. The company achieved certification to the standard following an audit by BSI. The certification recognizes the robust processes Vodafone UK has put in place to ensure continuity of service for enterprise and consumer customers. This can cover everything from service disruptions due to minor incidents such as power failures to unexpected major events such as natural disasters.
Certification to BS 25999 demonstrates that Vodafone UK's business continuity management systems follow internationally recognized best-practice methodologies.
BS 25999 was designed to keep business going during the most challenging and unexpected circumstances. An effective Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) provides the basis for understanding, developing, implementing and managing business continuity within an organization.
Through certification to the standard by independent third-parties such as BSI, organizations have a framework for continual improvement. It demonstrates to stakeholders that their BCM programmes meet international best practice. It also re-assures corporate customers that the essential voice services on which they rely are subject to stringent controls and a cycle of continual self-assessment designed to identify, manage and mitigate potential threats.
Vodafone UK has gained certification to BS 25999 for its 2G voice network, which also acts as a support mechanism for other voice and SMS services. In addition to minimizing the risk of network downtime, certification to the standard also supports Vodafone UK's role as an essential service provider in the event that a state of emergency is declared by the authorities, in accordance with the Civil Contingencies Act.
"Mobile communications form an integral part of business continuity plans. BS 25999 demonstrates the quality of the systems that we have in place to support our customers' needs," explains Roger McLoughlin, continuity & risk assurance specialist, Vodafone UK. "The standard provides unequivocal proof that we are taking the appropriate measures to mitigate network downtime and ensure that the service is there for our customers when they may need it the most."
"For Vodafone to achieve certification to BS 25999 for a major part of its business less than a year after publication of the standard is a significant achievement," says Rob Wallis, managing director of BSI Management Systems UK. "It also demonstrates a commitment to offering stakeholders a robust and resilient service."
Achieving BS 25999 certification is the latest development in Vodafone UK's commitment to further improve the quality of service delivery to customers. It follows the company's recent announcement of the formation of long-term managed service deals with both BT and Alcatel Lucent to enhance mobile broadband performance and accelerate the development of new products and services respectively.
For more information, visit: www.bsigroup.co.uk/en/Assessment-and-Certification-services/Management-systems/Standards-and-Schemes/BS-25999/
Visit the new BCM portal at www.TalkingBusinessContinuity.com
Business Standards © 2009. 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.
BSI is planning an informal free lunchtime roundtable in central London on 10 December 2009 to explore how small businesses and their trade bodies can work more effectively with standards. Places are limited so to register your interest or request more information, please email bsi.survey@bsigroup.com or call +44 (0)20 8996 7750.
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Question: What impact do you think BCM could have on business insurance in the future?
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