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Assess yourself
02 Jun 2009
Topics: Business continuity, BS 25999
Every year, organizations around the world experience some disruptions to their operations. The reasons can be innocent, from staff illness to weather conditions, but they can also be more severe, from industrial accidents to criminal activity. Whatever the disruption, organizations are under pressure to maintain business as usual. For most, this is helped by the implementation of a business continuity management system (BCMS).
With this in mind, BSI has introduced the BSI Business Continuity Self-assessment online tool (see page 13). While BS 25999 provides the framework with which a business can establish its own BCMS, the online toolkit offers organizations all the tools they need to plan, implement, operate, review, record and report on the BCMS. This self-contained online resource provides extensive guidance on every requirement of BS 25999-2 with self-assessment, collaboration and reporting tools to help businesses evaluate their BCMS - testing for strengths and probing for weak spots. Through regular review and continual improvement the business will know that it is ready to undertake an external audit. And, more importantly, that the organization may be able to deal with incidents, come what may.
For a FREE TRIAL, visit www.bsigroup.com/bcmonline
To view our BCM video visit www.bsigroup.com/businesscontinuity
Business Standards © 2010. 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.
While there was a time when companies would never consider working alongside the competition, today's marketplace demands a more flexible approach. Collaboration is fast becoming par for the course. For example, large government contracts often require expertise that goes far beyond any one company's capacity to deliver. Forming a consortium brings together the right experience in the right place, and it can mean the difference between winning or losing a tender.
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?
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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