Disaster Preparedness in a Post 9/11 World

 Disaster Preparedness in a Post 9/11 World

So much has changed in the last few years since September 11, and yet most organisations are still not adequately prepared for disasters. Not only are they exposed to the threat of terrorism, but also in terms of security and natural disasters.

Keywords:

 business continuity, disaster recovery, IT services, IT security

Article text:

So much has changed in the last few years since September 11th, and yet most businesses are still not adequately prepared for disasters. Not only are they exposed to the threat of terrorism, but also in terms of security and natural disasters. While a terrorist attack poses a significant threat to business operations, data loss, internal and external theft, floods and fires can be just as damaging. Unfortunately, the few companies that have a halfway decent disaster recovery plan still pay little attention to business continuity management. When disaster strikes, businesses must not only be prepared to immediately compensate for the effects of the damaging event, but they must do so while maintaining their core functions. Disaster preparedness without continuity management is akin to consolidating a strategic position without a progressive action plan. To make matters worse, companies tend to implement a disaster preparedness plan without considering the consequences.

A good disaster recovery plan shouldn't affect a company's ability to continue operating. Implementing a disaster recovery plan that protects the company's interests should be an all-encompassing endeavor that not only focuses on limiting the damage caused by the current situation, but also on maintaining operational status. Given the uncertainties faced by businesses in the post-9/11 era, continuity management can often mean the difference between success in the face of adversity or a complete loss of business operations. Often, companies take steps to limit their liability for damages, but rarely consider the fact that most liabilities for damages can be avoided altogether with the right safeguards. A well thought out business continuity management plan, which should include a disaster contingency plan, can prove triumphant in the face of what would otherwise be considered a tragedy. As the old adage goes, "An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure."