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New British Standard wins massive support

From STORAGE Magazine Vol 7, Issue 1 - February 2007

The close management of Business Continuity is an imperative that is gaining ever more credence, as editor Brian Wall reports elsewhere in this issue. Now newly released research is showing exactly why standards matter when it comes to the delivery of critical
benefits back to the organisation

A major new survey shows there is overwhelming support for a British standard for business continuity management - and that more and more businesses see it as one of the key means not only to ensure that customer relationships are safeguarded, but also to differentiate themselves from the competition.

SunGard Availability Services' research demonstrates a burgeoning appetite for the new British Standard business continuity management (BCM), BS 25999. Topping the list of reasons for complying with this benchmark are safeguarding customer relationships (62% of responses) and achieving differentiation from the competition (40%). However, only a tiny minority of organisations are actually well placed to reap the benefits: just 4% stated they are currently 100% compliant with the standard.

Respondents were highly positive about the likely impact of BS 25999. When asked about their view of the standard and its effect on their organisations, respondents said they would consider certifying against the standard (39% of responses), believed the standard would make BCM easier (33%) and was "well overdue" (25%).

The new standard - which is being developed by the British Standards Institution (BSI), in close collaboration with business, government and regulatory bodies - comprises two separate parts. Part One, published in December 2006, lays down key BCM processes and definitions, and emphasises the need for BC plans to support the business as a whole, rather than restricting its focus to IT. Part Two, due in mid-2007, defines the criteria for compliance with the standard. Organisations that successfully pass this stage will be able to adopt 'Kitemark' certification against the standard.

"BS 25999 should transform many organisations' approach to the way they operate," comments Keith Tilley, managing director and senior vice president Europe, SunGard Availability Services. "Until now, many companies viewed BCM as little more than a box-ticking exercise - one that was generally confined to the IT department. Since IT touches every part of the business, it is imperative that any decisions that impact availability to customers - including business continuity - are made at the highest levels."

Investment drivers
Despite large-scale disasters often dominating the news agenda, it is more mundane causes that are driving many companies' approach to BCM. The threat of terrorism and information security alerts both ranked secondary to regulation and increased reliance on IT when companies were asked to specify the main BCM investment driver within their organisations. Overall, almost three quarters of respondents plan to increase their investments in BCM next year.

"Now, more than ever, business continuity should be a key component of boardroom discussions," adds Tilley. "We believe it is essential for directors to be accountable - the most successful BCM begins with the board helping to define its scope, making provisions for review and maintenance."

Other research findings included the following:
• Only 10% of companies said the threat of terrorism was the main BCM investment driver
• 54% said regulation was the main BCM investment driver
• 20% of companies polled said their strategy to keep information and people available and connected was purely reactive
• 25% of companies think BS 25999 is well overdue.

In its capacity as a representative member of Intellect ( www.intellectuk.org ), SunGard Availability Services (UK) was invited to join the BSI committee panel that prepared the BS25999 Standard for business continuity management. As such, SunGard has played a significant role in the development of the new British standard. SunGard Availability Services (UK) carried out the research in November 2006 at an event attended by organisations drawn from both public and private sectors. More than 80 organisations responded in total, with 90% employing 250 people or more.

In May 2006, SunGard Availability Services (UK) was recognised at the Business Continuity Awards as Service Provider of the Year, an accolade that has been awarded to SunGard five times in the awards' eight-year history.

With annual revenue of $4 billion, SunGard's goal is to help information-dependent enterprises to ensure the continuity of their business. ST
n For further information, visit the website at: www.sungard.com