CONTINUITY CENTRAL

One-Stop Resource For Business Continuity Information

Continuity Central provides a constantly updated one-stop resource for business continuity information. Business continuity can be defined as the processes, procedures, decisions and activities to ensure that an organisation can continue to function through an operational interruption. Continuity Central is wholly owned by Portal Publishing, a UK based company specialising in web portal design, development and management.

Business continuity involves two distinct areas. One is business continuity planning, where a plan is developed that, when implemented, will help to prevent operational interruptions, crises and disasters happening and help the organisation quickly return to a state of ``business as usual`` should any of these events occur. Once it has been prepared the business continuity plan must be tested and exercised to ensure that it will perform as anticipated.

Business continuity management is the ongoing management of the business continuity plan to ensure that it is always current and available and that of operational resilience and process availability within an organisation, with the aim of ensuring that the organisation experiences the minimum possible day-to-day disruption. Continuity Central provides informational resources, including articles and news stories on crisis communications, crisis management, emergency planning, disaster recovery, terrorism, IT continuity, IT disaster recovery, recovery facilities, salvage and restoration.

Crisis Communications

Business continuity management aims to ensure that crises don`t occur, but should the worst come to the worst, effective crisis communications can make the difference between business-as-usual and disaster.

Listed below are the articles on crisis communications we`ve hosted on our website:

Best Practice: How To Use Automated Notification Systems

Using an automated notification system to deliver crisis messages is accepted as an excellent method in crisis communications to accurately and quickly communicate with groups of responders, staff and other agencies in a crisis.

Choosing A Crisis Notification System

There are a growing number of reliable crisis communications solutions (what is known as a crisis notification system on the market). Though there are many reliable solutions that automate the crisis notification system, deciding which one to buy can be daunting.

Communicating Risk

As part of a current internal risk awareness initiative that requires communicating risk, the UK government has published a useful guide to crisis communications.

Crisis Communications Lessons

Ari Fleischer, who served as press secretary for the Bush Administration for over two years, offers a unique view of crisis communications.

Emergency Notification Methods: What Are The Risks?

Harvey Fawcett conducts a risk assessment of the crisis communications, including emergency notification methods, available to businesses.

Talking To The Media - When It`s The Last Thing You Want To Do

During difficult times, reporters are about as welcome as a root canal. You don`t have to talk to them for crisis communications. Instead you can employ ``Option Two -- Freedom from the Press.``

For more information on these articles on crisis communications, copy and paste the following URL on your search bar: www.continuitycentral.com/ccm.htm

Index Of Articles On Crisis Management

Crisis Management

Business continuity management aims to ensure that crises don`t occur, but should the worst come to the worst, effective crisis management can make the difference between business-as-usual or disaster. Listed below are the articles on crisis management we`ve hosted on our website

A Crisis Management Plan: Are You Prepared?

In a world when the wrong split-second decision can cost a company millions in negative publicity, not being prepared is not worth the risk, and certainly not good crisis management.

Before The Business Continuity Plan

What can you do if your organisation doesn`t yet have a Business Continuity Plan as part of crisis management, but you want to prepare for emergencies? Nathaniel Forbes offers advice.

Building A Capable Emergency Management Team

Perhaps the single most important factor in determining the long-term success of an enterprise`s crisis management plan is the performance of its emergency management team. Jim Burtles explains how to go about building an excellent emergency management team.

Business Continuity, Crisis Management

Written by Dr. David Smith, FBCI, this article outlines various approaches that can help companies prepare for a business continuity and crisis management event, and explains the BCM life cycle.

Business Continuity On A Limited Budget

David Honour asks whether the priority should be given to crisis management or plan development when funds are limited.

Corporate Culture As A Source Of Crisis In Companies

Explores the effect that corporate culture can have on either helping or hindering crisis management.

Corporate Governance And Crisis Management

Developing an effective crisis management strategy is not an optional activity. It is at the heart of good corporate governance. Here are the principles of a comprehensive crisis plan.

Crisis Management Checklists

SunGard has published two checklists covering human resources support strategy and incident management which give guidance for use when developing a crisis management plan.

Crisis Management – Don`t Forget The People!

Staff and customers are an often neglected part of both the planning and response phases of crisis management. David Perl provides a checklist of some of the key things to consider in this area.

Crisis Management - The Known, The Unknown, And The Unknowable

Remarks by Donald L Kohn, member of the Board of Governors of the US Federal Reserve System.

Dealing With The Media During Emergencies

A report from a recent seminar on emergency management.

Incident Management Checklist

SunGard Availability Services has provided a comprehensive crisis management and incident management checklist to help business continuity managers manage crises.

Meeting The Challenge Of Uncertain Times

Many organisations have yet to translate their business continuity plans from hard-copy format into a technology-driven total business continuity process, says Monica Visconti.

Most Commonly Asked Questions About Risk, Controversy And Crisis

Useful list of FAQs.

Preparing And Fine-Tuning Your Crisis Management Plan: A Workable Methodology

It`s time to ask yourself two questions about your own organisation`s current state of preparedness to respond to a crisis: Do we have an adequate crisis plan in place? Are its contents second nature to those who have to make it work?

Post 911 Crisis Communications Toolkit

Best practices for crisis planning, crisis management, crisis prevention and continuous improvement.

The Importance Of Command And Control To Successful BCM

Crisis management call for a capability to minimise disruption to business whilst protecting reputation, revenue streams, name, brand value and customer and shareholder confidence, in addition to managing public and staff perceptions during crises.

The Role Of Psychological Factors In The Management Of Crisis Situations

What personality traits tend to exist in successful crisis managers? Dr Gary Buck C.Psychol. AFBPsS, University of Westminster, presents a paper exploring this issue.

For more information on these crisis management articles, copy and paste the following URL on your search bar: www.continuitycentral.com/ccm.htm

Holistic Disaster Recovery Contract, Contingency And Natural Hazard Emergency Planning, Hurricanes

Disaster Recovery

In this section, resources and articles are presented that relate to the immediate recovery phase following an organisational disaster. Listed below are the articles on disaster recovery we`ve hosted on our website:

Cultural Disaster Recovery...Protecting Our Treasures

The ingredients for successful disaster recovery for art galleries and museums

Designing A Disaster Recovery Contract

The use of third party suppliers for disaster recovery services is widespread, but what should be included in such a contract to ensure that the disaster recovery service meets your needs and performs as expected during a crisis? Angus Stormonth Darling explains.

Disaster Contingency Planning: The Necessity For Print-To-Mail Operations

Five major reasons for disaster contingency planning for print-to-mail operations.

Disaster Preparation: Don`t Forget Cash Management Issues

Advises David Frady, executive vice president and manager of commercial services for Hibernia National Bank.

Disaster Recovery: Business Tips For Survival

Useful guide from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It makes the case for disaster recovery planning using statistics and then outlines the process.

Holistic Disaster Recovery

This handbook describes ways in which a local community can incorporate various aspects of a sustainable society into all the decisions it must make during the recovery period following a disaster. Produced by the Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center.

Hurricanes - Basic Business Continuity Advice

Strohl Systems has issued a list of top ten tips which organisations should consider when planning to protect businesses against hurricanes.

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

IBM has prepared a checklist to help threatened businesses ensure that they are fully prepared.

Recovery Planning For Manufacturing Operations

Developing recovery plans for manufacturing operations/sites.

The Natural Hazards Working Paper Series

The index page to a series of papers available online on natural hazard emergency planning and disaster recovery. Published by the Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center.

Unexpected Hurricane Impacts - Tips For Businesses

Hurricanes have certain effects on equipment that your emergency plans may have not considered. Ray J. Vaughan explains.

For more information on these articles on disaster recovery, copy and paste the following URL on your search bar: http://www.continuitycentral.com/drgeneral.htm

Notes On Civil Contingencies Act 2004, Emergency Planning, Management And Preparedness

Emergency Planning

Emergency planning is mainly relevant to the public sector but business continuity managers need to keep up-to-date with developments in this area. Business continuity plans should always take the local emergency planning situation into account. Listed below are the articles on emergency planning we`ve hosted on our website:

Civil Contingencies Act 2004: A Short Guide

The UK Cabinet Office has published a six-page overview highlighting the main aspects of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

Dealing With Disaster

The UK Civil Contingencies Secretariat`s framework document for civil contingency planning. 

Emergency Management In The 21st Century

Working Paper No. 108 from the University of Colorado at Boulder, by Claire B. Rubin

Examples Of Good Practice In Emergency Planning

UK government showcase.

Guidance For Protective Actions Following A Radiological Terrorist Event

Basic advice from the Health Physics Society.

Holistic Disaster Recovery

This handbook describes ways in which a local community can incorporate various aspects of a sustainable society into all the decisions it must make during the recovery period following a disaster. Produced by the Natural Hazards Research and Applications Information Center.

Is Business Continuity Relevant To Emergency Planning?

Article by Ian Charters, an independent business continuity planner.

Updated Emergency Preparedness Guide Highlights Key Issues For Handling The Needs Of People With Disabilities

The US National Organization on Disability has revised its emergency management guidance.

For more information on these articles on emergency planning, copy and paste the following URL on your search bar: http://www.continuitycentral.com/ep.htm

Everything You Wanted To Know About IT Continuity, Disaster Recovery And Contingency Planning

IT Continuity, IT Disaster Recovery

The protection of information technology systems and assets is a crucial aspect of most business continuity plans. Listed below are the articles on IT continuity and IT disaster recovery we`ve hosted on our website:

Choosing The Right Disaster Recovery Service Provider

Corporates have to be prepared to face disasters. The better the disaster recovery plan, the better the chances of survival in business. Sudipta Sen has some tips when it comes to choosing a disaster recovery service provider.

Classes Of Recovery

Outlines a methodology for setting recovery priorities based on business requirements and describes how to match backup technology to recovery objectives.

Contingency Planning Guide For Information Technology Systems - Recommendations Of The National Institute Of Standards And Technology

Exhaustive guide which provides instructions, recommendations, and considerations for government IT contingency planning. Although aimed at the public sector, most businesses will also find useful advice here. Covers the interim measures required to recover IT services following an emergency or system disruption, including the relocation of IT systems and operations to an alternate site and the recovery of IT functions using alternate equipment.

Dealing With Downtime

IT continuity considerations for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). By Ian Masters.

Disaster Recovery - Best Practices White Paper

The paper starts with a discussion of performance indicators for disaster recovery and then provides a high level process flow chart to identify the workflow for managing a recovery, including performance indicators for disaster recovery; high level process flow for disaster recovery, management awareness, disaster recovery planning process, resiliency services and backup services, and vendor support services

Eight Best Practices For Disaster Recovery

Three members of the CIO Executive Council offer their advice on building, testing and deploying disaster recovery plans.

ERP Systems And Business Continuity Management

Michael Gallagher outlines the key considerations.

Fending Off Disaster

Article aimed at convincing CIOs of the importance of business continuity.

IT Disaster Recovery Glossary Of Terms

Looking for a definition? Richard Abel has provided a useful and comprehensive glossary.

Resilient Data Centre Selection And Design

The threat of interruption or unplanned downtime can be greatly reduced through the careful choice of location and good design.

Survivable Functional Units: Balancing An Enterprise`s Mission And Technology

Lawrence R. Rogers explains how this concept can help IT technicians understand their contribution to enterprise continuity.

The Changing Face Of Business Continuity

David Honour overviews the new generation technologies that will influence business continuity planning in the future.

The IT Infrastructure Of Business Continuity

Describes the process of choosing the best technology to achieve recovery objectives.

Time To Review Your Disaster Recovery Plans?

Mark Reeve gives his view on some current disaster recovery and business continuity issues for SME businesses.

Top New Year`s Resolutions For Disaster Proofing Your Enterprise

Evergreen Assurance offers six business continuity tips that businesses should heed in 2004.

For more information on these articles on IT continuity and IT disaster recovery, copy and paste the following URL on your search bar: http://www.continuitycentral.com/itdr.htm

Recovery Facilities, Salvage, Restoration, Data Replication, Mission Critical Systems, COOP

Recovery Facilities

Many companies use separate buildings and facilities to house duplicates of mission critical systems that can be activated in a disaster. This section provides information and resources about this area of business continuity. Listed below are the articles on recovery facilities we`ve hosted on our website:

Acquisition Of Alternate Facilities For Continuity Of Operations (COOP)

This Federal Preparedness Circular (FPC) provides guidance to Federal Executive Branch departments and agencies for use in acquiring alternate facilities to support their COOP.

Alternate Site Recovery Techniques

Focuses on the technologies aimed at meeting alternate site recovery objectives. Much of this paper`s focus is on data replication techniques, but it also covers server recovery at alternate locations.

Comment: How To Avert Disaster In The Midst Of A Crisis

Mike Osborne looks at the issue of recovery centre syndication levels.

Contingency Planning Guide For Information Technology Systems - Recommendations Of The National Institute Of Standards And Technology

Exhaustive guide which provides instructions, recommendations, and considerations for government IT contingency planning. Although aimed at the public sector, most businesses will also find useful advice here. Covers the interim measures required to recover IT services following an emergency or system disruption, including the relocation of IT systems and operations to an alternate site and the recovery of IT functions using alternate equipment.

How Far Is Far Enough?

The results of a survey concerning how far an alternate or offsite storage facility should be from the primary operations facility.

Internal and outsourced solutions

An in-depth look at three alternatives: Internal solutions; Outsourced solutions; Hybrid solutions.

Purchasing Workplace Recovery Services

SunGard`s Andrew Waterston gives his views on the key considerations.

Recovery facility market trends

How has the recovery facility market changed during 2003 and how will it develop in 2004? ICM`s Mike Osborne gives his views.

The Ins And Outs Of Workplace Recovery

Most companies struggle with workplace recovery strategy - Andrew McCrackan offers some help.

For more information on these articles on recovery facilities, copy and paste the following URL on your search bar: http://www.continuitycentral.com/recfac.htm

Salvage And Restoration

After the initial recovery phase following a disaster, comes salvage and restoration. This is where assets are assessed for damage and a decision made on what can be salvaged and restored to working order and what must be replaced. Listed below are the articles on salvage and restoration  we`ve hosted on our website:

Ontrack Data Recovery offers free diagnosis and service discounts to Hurricane Charley victims

Never assume that data is unrecoverable, no matter what it has been through.

Important Damage/Site Assessment Issues

It is difficult for organisations to execute their business/service continuity plans when they have no idea how severe the damage is, or how long it will be before they can have access to the environment which houses their core business operations, their vital records, critical work in progress, and production capabilities.

For more information on these articles on salvage and restoration, copy and paste the following URL on your search bar: http://www.continuitycentral.com/sandr.htm