Recent cataclysmic global events and the current worldwide emphasis on risk and compliance have highlighted the need to evolve plans for worst-case scenario processes and programmes.
While it is the cataclysmic global events that highlight the need to produce business continuity and disaster recovery plans, they actually account for only 1% of business disruptions, particularly in SA.
But terror attacks are increasing. On 7 July four bomb attacks crippled London`s transport system. According to Wikipedia.com, the free online encyclopaedia: "The bombings led to a severe, day-long disruption of the city`s transport and telecommunication infrastructure."
An ongoing series of surveys by Disaster Recovery Journal show an alarming disregard for disaster recovery and business continuity issues:
* Only 26.58% of executives are trained on what to do in a time of crisis.
* 33.79% of respondents felt they had enough executive commitment to their disaster recovery and business continuity programme.
* Following 9/11, 13.38% said their business had made business continuity an employee requirement.
* Only 27.56% felt confident in their current telecommunications backup plan.
It is surprising that business executives continue to squeeze continuity and disaster recovery plans to the bottom of their to-do lists.
Paul Mullon, Marketing director, Metrofile
Hardware failure is still the primary cause of business disruption; followed by software, then telecoms, and in SA, power failure. While those are the primary points of disruption, there are others, including natural disasters, fire, burglary, sabotage and virus infections.
Without documentation, businesses would cease to operate. Today, more than ever, businesses generate massive volumes of documents storing a range of data, from unstructured electronic files to managed files and paper documents, Web content and documents exchanged physically and electronically in the supply chain.
Losing these documents can cripple a business, never more so than in today`s stringent corporate governance climate. Being unable to access them for a period can lead to losses. Ensuring their safety and availability is therefore paramount, which is why it is surprising that business executives continue to squeeze continuity and disaster recovery plans to the bottom of their to-do lists.
By outsourcing the storage and protection of documents to a third-party business, organisations can gain a number of peripheral benefits, negating the argument that this is simply another cost-exercise:
* Organisation processes become more efficient, effective and productive.
* Costs are reduced and profitability is increased.
* Risk is mitigated through effective management.
* Organisations can focus on their core business.
Documents are indexed, stored and retrieved using standardised systems ensuring they are secure, yet can always be found and retrieved with the correct authorisation. They are also stored randomly to ensure the best possible use of floor space while maintaining high security levels. This also means they are physically separated so that in the event of a fire, for instance, not all related documents are also lost.
Documents can be delivered back to the organisation either in paper or electronic format. Computer backup tapes are stored in environmentally controlled vaults to provide convenient and secure off-site storage, forming the basis for business continuity in the event of disaster.
Critically, as document volumes increase, so the systems needed for storage and retrieval become more sophisticated. Since hardware and software failure are primary causes for business disruption, a third-party organisation focused purely on utilising the best equipment for this specific task ensures the best possible standards are applied.
Weighing up the risks is a critical factor in developing a business continuity and disaster recovery programme for company documents. Executives need to get aboard the awareness wagon now, while they still can.
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