PRESS RELEASE
17 February 2009
BSI British Standards publishes BS 25777 Information and communications technology continuity management. Code of practice.
How long could your business cope without information and communications technology? No email, no internet, and the potential loss of vital company information could reduce the ability to operate. Consequently an undermined reputation could await organizations that do not have an effective ICT continuity management system in place. BS 25777, a new standard from BSI British Standards will help organizations plan and implement an ICT continuity strategy.
ICT continuity management, a key part of the overall business continuity management (BCM) process of an organization, ensures that ICT services are resilient and in the event of disaster, can be recovered within timescales agreed with senior management. BS 25777 provides recommendations for implementing effective ICT continuity within the wider framework of Business Continuity Management (provided in BS 25999 Business Continuity Management).
BSI has drawn together experts from industry, government and non-governmental organizations to provide best practice guidelines on all aspects of ICT continuity. Recommendations cover areas such as the competency of ICT personnel, raising awareness of ICT continuity among relevant staff and understanding critical ICT services.
Catastrophic IT failure
A 2007 BSI survey of the FTSE 250 found that 67% of companies consider themselves ‘very well prepared for’ catastrophic IT failure (up from 51% in 2006 and 27% in 2005).
However, recent adverse weather conditions in the UK, as well as human influenced disruption like terrorism, means an increased possibility of catastrophic IT failure. Consequently, there is always room for improvement.
ICT continuity reaps rewards
The benefits of effective ICT continuity for an organization include:
• Strengthened confidence in organizational business continuity strategy
• Developed and enhanced competence of ICT staff through the exercise and testing ICT continuity arrangements
• Potential competitive advantage through the demonstrated ability to deliver business continuity management.
Mike Low, Director of BSI British Standards, said: “BSI’s latest standard in the area of Continuity Management focuses on the specific area of ICT continuity - an absolutely crucial element of an overall BCM strategy - will help an organization survive a crisis. We have brought together a wide range of expertise to produce a robust best practice guidance document which should help organizations regardless of size, complexity or sector.
Increasingly, organizations recognize the importance of BCM in protecting their operations and their brand. BSI recently announced a joint initiative with the Department of Health to increase the resilience of the National Health Service. We are also responding to enthusiasm for BS 25999, the BSI standard on Business Continuity Management, in the United States by collaborating with ASIS International on the development of the first BCM standard in the US.”
For further information on BS 25777 visit www.bsigroup.com/BS25777
-ENDS-
NOTES TO EDITORS
For media enquiries:
Lucy Fulton
Public Relations Officer
BSI British Standards
Tel: +44 (0)20 8996 7248
Mob: +44 (0)7741 451990
Email: lucy.fulton@bsigroup.com
Website: www.bsigroup.com
About BSI British Standards
BSI British Standards is the UK’s National Standards Body, recognized globally for its independence, integrity and innovation in the production of standards and information products that promote and share best practice. BSI works with businesses, consumers and government to represent UK interests and to make sure that British, European and international standards are useful, relevant and authoritative. For further information please visit www.bsigroup.com/britishstandards.
About BSI Group
BSI British Standards is part of BSI Group, a global independent business services organization that inspires confidence and delivers assurance to customers with standards-based solutions. Originating as the world’s first national standards body, the Group has over 2,300 staff operating in over 120 countries through more than 50 global offices. The Group’s key offerings are:
• The development and sale of private, national and international standards and supporting information
• Second and third-party management systems assessment and certification
• Product testing and certification of services and products
• Performance management software solutions
• Training services in support of standards implementation and business best practice.
For further information please visit www.bsigroup.com.
