September 30, 2005

SME’s not prepared for disaster planning

by Brian Turner

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According to a study commissioned by Cable & Wireless, the telecommunications company, 62% of mid-sized UK businesses make no provision for staff to work from home in the event of disruption or disaster.

The study, which was supported by the Institute of Directors, found that while 63 per cent of mid-sized organisations nationwide have business continuity plans in place, in London this falls to 33 per cent. The research also found that although 31 per cent of companies back up their data, many keep the back-up at their main office, rendering it useless if the premises become inaccessible.

Sixty-five percent of business surveyed said their business would be materially impacted if staff were unable to access the office for a day or less.

The results of the survey suggests that many companies would be unable to stay open for business in the event of a disaster.

Cable & Wireless is using the research to promote its off-site back-up services to SMEs, and to highlight the usefulness of workers having access to a broadband connection at home.

Jim Norton, senior policy adviser at the Institute of Directors, said: “We encourage our members - regardless of size - to think through the implications of major disruption. The tragic events of 7 July, as well as, for instance, the potential for fuel shortages, have shown that businesses are vulnerable to events beyond their control.

The study, which was carried out by ICM Research, is based on a poll of 100 IT managers at UK firms with between 30 and 500 employees.

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