• Information systems built on computers have become increasingly vital to the effective operation of a business;
• The provision of timely business services has become progressively more dependent on computer systems;
• By now you should be even more aware of the impact on your business that a serious incident could have;
• The necessity of setting up at least a semiformal procedure to be complied with when a disaster happens;
• The high probability of an increase in inefficient IT and data protection safeguards;
• The need to set up efficient and effective recovery strategies to diminish the consequences of any disrupting events;
• To have the goal of lessening the costs and losses which might otherwise arise from the occurrence of severe events, and finally
• Prevention of failure of your business resulting from any disrupting events.

Terence CAVB (Certified Australian Virtual Business)
Principal, Cyberspace Virtual Services, Western Australia
www.virtualservices.com.au – Experience the Difference
www.virtualservices.com.au/CVS_blog – My contribution to business owners
www.avbn.com.au – Australian Virtual Business Network—You Deserve the Best
2007 Thomas Leonard International VA of Distinction Award Nominee
Contented Member of ‘A Clayton’s Secretary’
Use our skills to help you succeed
Tel: 61 8 9304 6983 Fax: 61 8 9304 3202 Mobile: 61 414 25 1091 UK Residents: 07092391723 

Having problems coping with all that paperwork?
Turn those piles into files and find any document in 10 seconds
or less!
http://tinyurl.com/64ag2

1. Analyse your business.
   

   BCM requires a comprehensive understanding of your business and all of its processes. These should be documented in your Operations Manual. Without this documentation, how could anyone fill in for you, effectively and efficiently, in your absence, either on holiday, or due to illness, whether short- or long-term? How else can you be consistent in operating your business? Have you got one?

2. Assess the risks to your business.

Risk assessment is the process of determining the risks that could cause business interruption and consequent damage to your income and reputation. This assessment is based on how you run your business.

In evaluating risk a business impact analysis will help to enable prioritisation based on probability of occurrence. You cannot afford to include every business process and application in a mitigation process or a recovery, so you should inventory and prioritise every critical business process.

Software is available to help with this process, but a spreadsheet can be designed to achieve the desired outcome.

3. Develop your strategy.

   Having assessed the risks, whatever type business you are conducting, you will probably choose a proven strategy:

   • Accept the risks—change nothing.
   • Accept the risks, but make reciprocal arrangements with other businesses. They could even be competitors.
   • Attempt to minimise risks.
   • Attempt to minimise risks and make arrangements for assistance after an incident.
   • Reduce all risks to where you should not need outside assistance.

Evaluation of cost effectiveness will be the driver in choosing your strategy.

To be continued

Terence CAVB (Certified Australian Virtual Business)
Principal, Cyberspace Virtual Services, Western Australia
www.virtualservices.com.au Experience the Difference
www.avbn.com.au Australian Virtual Business Network—You Deserve the Best
2007 Thomas Leonard International VA of Distinction Award Nominee
Contented Member of ‘A Clayton’s Secretary’
Use our skills to help you succeed
Tel: 61 8 9304 6983 Fax: 61 8 9304 3202 Mobile: 61 414 25 1091 UK Residents: 07092391723

Having problems coping with all that paperwork?
Turn those piles into files and find any document in 10 seconds or less!
http://tinyurl.com/64ag2

In essence, Disaster Recovery Planning is an essential part of Business Continuity Management (BCM). It is not just about disaster recovery, crisis management, risk management or about IT. It is demonstrably a business issue.

In summary — Foresee the Unexpected

To quote the Business Continuity Institute, the professional body for Business Continuity Management:
“Business Continuity Management is the act of anticipating incidents which will affect critical functions and processes for the organisation and ensuring that it responds to any incident in a planned and rehearsed manner”.

You are taken ill; your office is burnt down; your computer hard drive dies on you; a key supplier goes bankrupt or closes down. How would any of these occurrences affect your business?

A Gartner research found that 50 percent of all businesses fail after experiencing a major disruption.

Nearly one in five businesses suffers a major disruption every year; yours could be next. With no recovery plan, you have a lessened chance of survival.

Your business cannot avoid all forms of risk or potential damage. However, you can ensure the survival of your organisation by compiling a Business Continuity Management (BCM) Plan—and following it.

Learn how to cope with the risks that could cause:

• Inability to maintain customer services, and subsequent loss of work to competitors;
• Damage to image, reputation or brand;
• Failure to protect the company assets;
• Business control failure;
• Higher insurance premiums; and
• Failure to meet legal or regulatory requirements.

To be continued

Terence CAVB (Certified Australian Virtual Business)
Principal, Cyberspace Virtual Services, Western Australia
www.virtualservices.com.au Experience the Difference
www.avbn.com.au Australian Virtual Business Network—You Deserve the Best
2007 Thomas Leonard International VA of Distinction Award Nominee
Contented Member of ‘A Clayton’s Secretary’
Use our skills to help you succeed
Tel: 61 8 9304 6983 Fax: 61 8 9304 3202 Mobile: 61 414 25 1091 UK Residents: 07092391723

Having problems coping with all that paperwork?
Turn those piles into files and find any document in 10 seconds or less!
http://tinyurl.com/64ag2