Author: Editor
A new report "Prepared for the worst? Promoting Business Continuity to Small Businesses January 2008" contains the following "The London Chamber of Commerce believes that the - chronic lack of preparedness on the part of small firms is the greatest avoidable threat in the capital today " (p8) For further info see Prepared for the worst?
Author: Editor
Greater emphasis is being placed on business continuity requirements by new rules. The Guide to the Professional Conduct of Solicitors is to be replaced by the new Solicitors' Code of Conduct on 1 July 2007. The Solicitors Regulation Authority, who draft the rules of professional conduct, have stated- "Firms should have arrangements in place for assessing the risks attaching to each area of their operation...Ideally the scope of the arrangements should not be confined to risks arising from professional negligence, but should extend to client related and business related risks of all sorts. A non-exhaustive list might include complaints (including a complaints log); client-related credit risks and exposure; claims under legislation relating to such matters as data protection; IT failures and abuses; and damage to offices."
For further info see Solicitors’ Code of Conduct 2007
Author: Editor
Another example of business continuity issues getting legislative attention is the UK's 1998 Data Protection Act. This applies to most businesses unless you are an individual holding personal information for your own domestic use. The registration process includes a mandatory security statement which asks businesses about - Establishing a business continuity plan? (for example, holding a backup file in the event of personal data being lost through flood, fire or other catastrophe)
Author: Editor
BS 25999 is the name of a new British Standard entitled Business Continuity Management. It will be published in two volumes:
BS 25999-1:2006 Code of practice for business continuity management (£90)
BS 25999-2:2007 Specification for business continuity management.(Due early 2007)
Author: Editor
The UK Civil Contingencies Act 2004 came fully into force in the summer of 2006.
Health authorities, emergency services and all UK local authorities will now be assessed on their Business Continuity Planning – "to ensure the continuity of the authority’s own services during an emergency".
The Audit Commission, who monitors the performance of many of these organisations has stated - "Where a service is contracted out, or is dependent on external suppliers, it is still the responsibility of the authority to ensure continuity, and so authorities need to know that suppliers and contractors have continuity arrangements."
In light of this item 7.4a of the Audit Commission self assessment toolkit asks:Does the council have quality assurance arrangements over continuity for contracted services? For further info see Audit Commission self assessment toolkit