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Business continuity planning isn't something you do once then forget about. You have to keep updating your plan, testing it, and improving it. If you're among the companies who have not yet developed such a plan, you have an even tougher road to walk. Regardless of your situation, this week's articles can provide some help with your next steps - or your first one!

To win support for a business continuity plan, emphasize ways it can give your company a competitive edge. (Item #1) CIOs find themselves in the position of not only making sure technical disaster-recovery plans are in place and working but also coordinating larger continuity efforts with all business functions. (Item #2) You have a main office and several branch offices. Should you have one big plan, or one for each office? (Item #3)

Small businesses may find this checklist of particular interest. (Item #4) A fire drill isn't enough; your plan must include evacuation or shelter-in-place strategies. (Item #5) Companies must take steps to act as responsible guardians of their employees. (Item #6)

As always, we look forward to hearing about your concerns with regards to business continuity. If you have a topic you'd like to see covered, please email me at [email protected]

Best Regards,

Bob Mellinger
President
Attainium Corp

Quote of the Week

"The only thing harder than planning for an emergency is explaining why you didn't"
- Author Unknown -

Articles

1. Five Ways to Build a Case for Business Continuity
The importance of business continuity planning is a no-brainer--if you're a security leader who already thinks in terms of security and risk, that is. But convincing business executives, who typically think in dollars and cents, of such a plan's criticality may be a tougher sell. While the fundamental importance of business continuity is fairly obvious, the reason to spend lots of money on it may not be.
http://www2.csoonline.com/exclusives/column.html?CID=33481

2. How to Involve the Business to Create a Solid Continuity Plan
Members of the CIO Executive Council identified business continuity as a topic for future Council activities and research, and 27 members also participated in a conference call on business-continuity planning. The following are some best practices from members who have made such planning an integral part of their organizations.
http://www.cio.com/article/12576/How_to_Involve_the_Business_to_Create_a_Solid_Continuity_Plan

3. How Many Business Continuity Plans Do You Need?
Many organizations consist of a central office, along with several smaller branch offices. A question that we are often asked by such an organization is this: should we have one large plan, or should we have a separate plan for each branch office?
http://www.riskythinking.com/articles/article30.php

4. Business continuity and disaster recovery checklist for small business owners
Capital One has developed a new checklist to help small businesses in the US to prepare for both large and small incidents:
http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature0501.htm

5. Evacuation and shelter planning
Many organizations continue to test their evacuation procedures and muster points on an annual basis but their plans fall short of what is now required to ensure the safety of their staff - and meet their corporate responsibilities.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature0460.htm

6. Keeping Tabs on Employees When Disaster Strikes
If your key individuals are not at their primary locations to respond to the emergency, a robust, scalable, and reliable mobile solution is critical to get the word out quickly to those tasked with responding to the situation and ensure timely recovery of key business processes.
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/data-management/61040.html