Now is the time for organisations to take board level responsibility for ensuring continuous business success, say organisers of the exhibition Business Continuity Expo 2006.
Increasing terrorist threats and environmental devastation may have raised awareness of business continuity and disaster recovery, but many organisations are still missing the point; it is the so-called smaller issues, the email failure, transport problems or localised flood, or the crash of call-centre systems that are more likely to fundamentally undermine business success. So say the expo organisers.
The cost of such failures can be significant, even causing business closure. And yet for affected employees and partner organisations there is no redress against those in senior management responsible for the catastrophic lapse in business infrastructure; an issue being raised at Business Continuity Expo, in March, organisers claim.
Graeme Howe, Event Director for Business Continuity Expo 2006, says: "There appears little incentive today for UK directors to take responsibility for business continuity. Many boards allocate responsibility for business continuity to one individual with the belief that they are doing something about it. In truth, business continuity should not rest on one individual’s shoulders; it needs to be driven by the whole organisation, with the ultimate responsibility laid at the feet of the board directors."
Now in its third year, Business Continuity Expo 2006 sees the incorporation of Technology for Compliance, an exhibition designed to address issues of regulatory compliance and Corporate Governance.
Howe adds: "This is not an issue that can be addressed half-heartedly, once annually and then left in a dark corner. Business continuity, disaster recovery and risk management are essentially board level concerns and getting it wrong will cause business damage; ranging from a loss of orders and reputation to complete business failure."
Running alongside the exhibitions will be talks on all aspects of business continuity and risk management covering continuity planning, testing and assessing the corporate responsibility of business continuity as well as identifying and preparing for new areas of business vulnerability and improving communication, say organisers.
Howe adds: "Business threats are frequently emerging, avian flu and the London terrorist attacks to name a few, and those organisations that put in place simple steps to ensure availability of staff and systems will have a far greater chance of riding the storm; and in doing so will improve the way in which they are perceived by customers, partners, suppliers and shareholders."
Business Continuity, The Risk Management Expo 2006 takes place on March 15-16, 2006 at ExCel in London. The event is open from 10am to 4.30pm on Wednesday 15, and 10am to 4pm on Thursday, 16 March. For more information and to register for free tickets to the expo:
