Still time to reduce swine flu risk

Organisations still have time to put in place a Business Continuity Management (BCM) system ahead of a possible winter flu pandemic, according to BSI, global providers of BCM products and assessment services.

BCM standards and certification can help organisations mitigate the risks associated with the H1 N1 virus, or ‘swine flu’, which was has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization and which many doctors believe may strike hardest this winter. A flu pandemic is one of a wide range of potential disruptions to business which the British Standard BS 25999-2 helps organisations prepare for.

“I urge organisations to heed the warnings that the pandemic is likely to peak during the coming winter months and review their BCM systems now.

Mike Low, Director, Standards, BSI

BS 25999-2 sets out the requirements for establishing and maintaining an effective BCM system, effectively enabling an organization to anticipate and prepare for the worst. This might mean being able to rapidly recruit temporary staff or moving premises at very short notice: risks are different for every organization but BS 25999-2 helps determine what they are and make the necessary arrangements. BSI’s independent certification to this standard enables an organization to demonstrate to customers and stakeholders its proactive approach to achieving best practice in the area of BCM.

Mike Low, Director, Standards, BSI, said: 'It is clearly important that organisations don’t over-react to the occurrence of a pandemic. At the same time, putting a robust BCM plan in place will assist with the continuation of normal business operations. I urge organisations to heed the warnings that the pandemic is likely to peak during the coming winter months and review their BCM systems now, taking action where necessary. A key aspect of effective business continuity management is not only to have a system for managing a disruption to an organization in place but to periodically exercise it as well.'