Business continuity is an important part of management planning and has
been for some time. Intelligent organisations have long been aware of
the threat of natural and man-made disasters. However, in recent times
most of the focus has been on computer systems and operating data,
rather than on the key records of the business. After 9/11, the
Bishopgate and Baltic Exchange bomb attacks in London and others,
computer systems were protected and were up and running within hours but
many electronic and paper records, as opposed to structured data, were
completely destroyed. Consequently, we always make a point of stressing
to our clients the importance of sound records management and vital
records planning as an integral part of BCP (as well as in managing the
business day to day.) It's good to see specific legislation backing
this up.
It's important to remember that not all records have the same value in
maintaining business continuity. Trying to duplicate/protect/hot site
everything would frighten the corporate horses. Also the threat of
disaster soon passes from corporate consciousness. Nevertheless,
working with your BC planners is a valuable way of promoting RM in a
mainstream environment.
Peter Emmerson
Director
Emmerson Consulting Limited
47a Salisbury Road
Harpenden
Hertfordshire AL5 5AR
Phone 01582 769842
Fax 01582 761740
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-----Original Message-----
From: The UK Records Management mailing list
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gillian
Whichelo
Sent: 24 February 2003 16:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Business Continuity Planning
Dear Records Managers
I have just returned from a discussion with our Disaster response person
and
he has informed me that there is a paper going out for consultation in
the
next few months on the new Civil Contingencies Bill and there is going
to be
a section on business continuity planning. This will fall to 'core
responders (category 1)' who include Local Authorities, Emergency
Services,
Environment Agency, Coastguard etc. who will be required to 'expand
coverage
to reflect the way modern society works, minimise economic disruption,
maximise resilience'. There will be a specific duty on Local Authorities
to
promote business continuity planning, presumably via discussion with
external stakeholders.
Has anyone else come across this?
There is also a section on the Adoption Regulations out in April 2003 on
having a disaster plan for adoption records and of course you have 8.9
in
the FOI Code of Practice.
Is business continuity the new trendy subject or is it all just a
coincidence?
Gillian Whichelo
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