“Could your business survive if your office were hit by a total loss disaster scenario?”

If you answered yes, then you need to grab a cup of tea and read through the following paragraph and then ask yourself the question again. It's my guess the answer will be very different.

What do I mean by Total loss disaster scenario?

Total loss disaster scenario means the total loss of your business through unforeseen circumstances such as fire, terrorist attack, employee attack to name just a few. It means the loss of your businesses three most important assets. Computer processes, telephony and people.

Try to imagine running your business without your current computer, without your server, without your phone system and without any of your current staff, could it be done? Maybe, you could buy a new computer easily enough and maybe get a new server and restore the data from your backup. You could also use your mobile while you have no phone’s but where would you get your computer? How long would it take? Would it be compatible? What software would you need? Where would you get the server? What one would you need? How would you restore the data?...I think you get the idea.

Maybe you still feel you can answer yes to the above question but what if we take the people factor into account, you won’t be here, you are part of the loss. Could a stranger rebuild your business and continue to trade without instruction from you?

I bet you can’t answer yes now!

Business Continuity Management is about being prepared to rebuild your business after a total loss disaster:

• Identifies and protects the core assets of the business
• Identifies the functions of the business
• Identifies the criticality of functions within the business

Thus..

• Provides continuity in customer service at a minimum acceptable level
• Limits the impact on the financial position of the business
• Ensures long term survival as a business organisation