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Business Continuity Breakfast Seminar SERIES

EVENT CLOSED Business Continuity - IT, Business Security and Resilience 13th March 2008 - South Bank, SE1 The Continuity Forum in association with IBM are hosting a Business Continuity breakfast seminar on Thursday 13th March.

Event overview

Never has the importance and profile of IT security ever been higher, it seems that daily new reports of stolen or “lost" feature in news headlines. Securing corporate systems, protecting customers data and ensuring that the Intellectual Capital of organisations effectively controlled and managed is now the top priority for 2008 of IT and Business Continuity Professionals. Through this Continuity Forum event with the support of IBM and in association with our colleagues in the City of London Police we offer the latest advice on how to assess and address the risks posed, manage the consequences to the organisation and harden the security of your vital IT infrastructure. This special event forms part of our Security in the City programme of public events and is free to attend.

Our speakers will look at the lessons learned over the years and share experiences of real events and their impact. We will be covering how organisations must adapt to the developing framework of Security and risk and how real value can be gained though integration with organisation wide Business Continuity Management and we'll be illustrating how to establish good Continuity and Risk Management within your organisation that meets both operational and commercial needs.

Breakfast Briefing information: Agenda:

Welcome & Introduction

The Importance of securing the IT - infrastructure Leading figure from the City of London Police

IT Security for the SMB Market - IBM Internet Security - Internet Security Systems - These sessions will highlight the options and illustrate how the organisation can secure the infrastructure. - 

Business Continuity & Security - The Continuity Forum

Q&A Session (moderated) followed by Networking & Close

FINISH at approximately 11:30

Timing & Location

Attendees should aim to arrive from 08:15 on Thursday 13th March for breakfast which will be served at 08:30. The briefing will commence at 09:00 promptly with the event finishing at around 11:30hrs.

We are very grateful to IBM for permitting us the use of their South Bank facilities for this event. The closest station to IBM South Bank is Waterloo which is only a few minutes walk from the venue. For further information or to register your booking for the day of the event please contact:

Sara McKenna HERE! or call us on 0208 993 1599

Please do contact us ASAP to book your place as places will fill up quickly.

If you would like to know more about how your organisation can get involved and benefit from working with the Continuity Forum, please call on + 44 (0) 208 993 1599.

UK plc failing to protect their people, property and data

The threat of disaster continues to hang over organisations across the UK, as many fail to provide adequate protection for their key assets. The latest annual report published by the CMI and supported by the Cabinet Office and the Continuity Forum reveals that organisations recognise a need to guard against disruption and face increasing pressure to do so.

Since November 2001, the US administration has been diverting crude oil supply from the market to the strategic petroleum reserve (SPR), which now stands at a record 700m barrels – in addition to the vast reserves held by the other 25 member countries of the International Energy Agency (IEA) club of industrialised oil consumers. The government has offered to tap those reserves as an emergency response to the massive supply disruptions caused by Katrina. But the SPR will not be much help. Releasing SPR crude will not offset a looming shortage of natural gas and, given refining constraints, will increase product supply by only a small amount. Its effect on prices will be marginal at best.

Category Business Continuity Management Briefing BCM - BCM & Risk Management - General

Corporate liability is a key risk facing the insurance industry

February 2008 The instability of global financial markets is the single factor which will most impact the insurance industry during 2008: this is one of the key findings of the Lloyd's annual underwriters survey.

The survey asked 138 Lloyd's underwriters questions about working in the Lloyd's environment, including what emerging risks will most challenge the insurance industry over the coming year. Instability of global financial markets was highlighted by survey respondents as the most prominent emerging threat of 2008. This echoed what was said at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, which was held in Davos, Switzerland, in January.

Global government and business leaders gathered to discuss issues of immediate concern for 2008. The repercussions of the US sub-prime crisis were at the top of the agenda for the week-long event, with uncertainty and volatility generally predicted for the coming year. More than half of those who participated in the Lloyd's survey believe that the compensation culture is out of control.

David Jones, Divisional Managing Director - Professional Liability, Markel International, explains the how the financial crisis will relate to insurers, "Over the next 12 months we are going to see the sub-prime web unraveling as the layers of collatorised debt obligations collapse from the pools of investors worldwide. There is an inevitability that increased property repossession will once again lead to litigation against mortgage brokers, solicitors and surveyors as the lending institutions seek to recover their losses without necessarily questioning their lending criteria."

 Liability will be a key theme for Lloyd's 360 risk project in 2008, which has commissioned the Economist Intelligence Unit to undertake a survey of business leaders to get opinions on issues such as compensation culture and the global credit crunch. Eighty-two percent of underwriters questioned in the Lloyd's survey believed that more consideration is being given to corporate liability by insurance buyers, although 61% still felt that more preparation was needed. Andrew Miller, Director at BPL Global also believes that financial instability will be a key threat in 2008, and identifies another major concern:

The two main issues that will continue to drive our business are the "credit crunch" and the problems of terrorism and political violence. Both are really only just beginning to bite and their shared characteristic is that they are set to get worse before they get better. Forty-nine percent of survey respondents feel that the world will be a less stable place in 2008 and although 55% of underwriters feel that insurance buyers are giving greater consideration to terrorism and political risk in planning, 56% still feel that they need to do more.

Furthermore, only 21% believe that insurance buyers are giving greater consideration to climate change in risk management, which is a concern at a time when flooding and unseasonably high temperatures are highlighting the impact of climate change. Thirty-nine percent of underwriters questioned feel that climate change is likely to contribute to above average losses from the 2008 hurricane season after two years of benign loss experience.

However, despite all the uncertainty, overall 83% of the respondents believe that disaster and continuity planning is higher on the agenda for global business leaders than it was two years ago and over three quarters feel that risk managers are more sophisticated in their understanding of risk than two years ago. There is still much to be done, but it is encouraging that risk management seems to be higher on the agenda than ever as underwriters and business leaders alike face up to a challenging year.

For more details on our events, workshops and industry development work, as well as the general activities of the Continuity Forum please contact us directly on +44 208 993 1599 or mail us HERE! 

Business Continuity Management BCM - EVENT - Free Support - Advice - Risk Management - Corporate Governance

Post Event Recovery Event

Date: 31th January '08 - London

When an event strikes an organisation, the Business Continuity Plan will go into action.

Through this event the Continuity Forum and its partners provide you with relevant information to ensure that you are fully prepared for what will happen next. So until an event happens, how can you be sure that the plan will be effective when it is needed most? Through this session we will be looking at the issues of 'what happens next' in a practical presentation format.

Category Business Continuity Management Briefing BCM - BCM & Risk Management - Outsourcing - Services - General

Not if you plan carefully ...

23 Jan 2008 Before an organisation decides to follow the outsourcing trend, attention must be paid to the many risks involved in this way of doing business, says Anthony Plewes. No matter what the reason is for outsourcing key IT processes, there's always an element of risk. Will the supplier deliver? Was the contract appropriately scoped? Are the business objectives truly being fulfilled? These issues shouldn't be left to chance. Anyone considering the outsourcing route must take deliberate, methodical steps to mitigate the potentially high risks involved. Here are the areas you should be sure are covered thoroughly.

Avian flu spreads business continuity fears

18 December 2007 It is estimated that UK poultry farmers stand to lose as much as  £30 million in a major outbreak of avian flu.In the run-up to Christmas, peoples minds turn to festive feasts and celebration. But following a second outbreak of the deadly H5NI bird flu at a turkey farm in East Anglia recently, many business managers have more serious issues than what people will be serving up on the day. It is estimated that UK poultry farmers stand to lose as much as  £30 million in a major outbreak of avian flu, even after they have received government compensation.
 

Category Business Continuity Management BCM - ISO22399 - Advice - Support - Education

ISO publishes international benchmark for incident preparedness and operational continuity management

ISO has published the first internationally ratified benchmark document addressing incident preparedness and continuity management for organizations in both public and private sectors. The Publicly Available Specification ISO/PAS 22399:2007, Societal Security Guideline for incident preparedness and operational continuity management, is based on business continuity best practice from five national standards from Australia, Israel, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Category Business Continuity Management Briefing BCM - BCM & Risk Management - H5N1 - Pandemic - General

UK bosses and managers need to do more to prepare for an influenza pandemic

Fewer than a quarter of companies have made adequate plans for coping with a flu pandemic, according to research which suggests that an outbreak would have a devastating impact on business.

A major survey of proprietors, executives and senior managers has revealed that 30 per cent of businesses have no strategy at all, while 14 per cent have only rudimentary continuity plans that need improvement. Another 34 per cent of executives are unaware of how their companies intend to deal with the threat of pandemic flu, and only 22 per cent are comfortable that they are properly prepared.

Even among those businesses that have drawn up a continuity plan, very few have bought a stockpile of the antiviral drug Tamiflu, the main defence against the flu virus, for treating their staff. Only 18 per cent of those companies with a pandemic plan have bought or intend to buy the drug. Among FTSE-100 companies, seven have ordered enough Tamiflu to cover every employee, and another four have placed smaller orders. Ministers urged to consider flu jabs for all Insurer rises to challenge Although the Government has bought 15.6 million courses of Tamiflu, this will be enough for only 25 per cent of the population, and its scientific advisers have recommended that double or even triple this quantity is needed. Much of the stockpile is expected to be reserved for essential workers, such as emergency services and utilities staff.

The official pandemic plan also makes no provision for ensuring that businesses can continue to operate, and the Government has strongly recommended that companies make their own preparations. It has not, however, issued advice on what these should involve. The new research, conducted by YouGov for Roche, the pharmaceutical company that makes Tamiflu, suggests that most businesses have yet to take the threat seriously. Nottingham University Business School has calculated that a pandemic could cost British business £95 billion. Last year, a study for the Harvard Business Review concluded: “Should a pandemic emerge, it would become the single biggest threat to business continuity, and could remain so for up to 18 months.

Russell Price, chairman of the Continuity Forum, a business think-tank, who peer-reviewed the research, said that by failing to invest in sensible measures many businesses were exposing themselves to difficulties that could prevent them from operating effectively, or close them down. Companies needed to plan for absenteeism that the Cabinet Office had calculated could reach 25 per cent, Mr Price said. Company stocks of Tamiflu would also reassure staff. But the prescription-only drug would have to be distributed by company doctors or third-party medical services.  Businesses and public sector organisations are generally still overlooking fundamental points, Price said. It is far better to address the issues now, rather than hope to cope later.

Mark Henderson, Science Editor The Times  

Category Business Continuity Management BCM - EVENT - BS25999 - Advice - Support - Education

BS25999 - Parts 1 & 2 What they mean to you and your business ... a practical guide

Business Continuity has long been a requirement for all businesses, but now, through the new British Standard, it is possible to prove the value of the planning you have undertaken and demonstrate that your organisation complies with recognised Industry Best Practice.

The New British Standard for Business Continuity BS25999 is fast becoming a vital business requirement for many organisations needing to develop their resilience or meet the needs of clients demanding evidence of Business Continuity Management. Organisations should be acting now to assess their current plans against the BS25999 Standard ensuring your BCM process meets the needs of our market and the many varied aspects of Regulation, Legislation and Compliance. The advice and guidance delivered through this event will enable you to develop and fortify your existing plans, or enable a swift and effective start of the process. As is usual with Continuity Forum Events, we urge early registration. This special event from the Continuity Forum provides all the latest information on the New British Standard for Business Continuity BS2599 including the latest developments concerning part 2 of the Standard.

The Continuity Forum is ideally placed to provide this course having been instrumental in the creation of both part 1 and 2 of the new British Standard for Business Continuity Management - BS25999. This special event is ideal for those who have experience in BCM or those tasked with the responsibility of its development and through this course yopu will gain a thorough understanding of the new British Standard for Business Continuity and how it can be implemented in your organisation.

Course Description This one-day course will enable the delegates to understand the basis of BS25999 and how to implement this within your organisation. We believe this session offers the by far the best value possible to our delegates.

Who should attend? All those who have responsibility for Business Operations, including board directors and those tasked with ensuring the continuity of the organisation as their specific role. This course is suitable for both those who have established basic BCM or have yet to commence. The course is appropriate to private, public and voluntary sector organisations.

Benefits to Your Business

The course will detail the requirements to ensure effective business continuity management, and will identify:

The general framework within which your organisation operates

The critical processes (products, services, people etc) which your organisation cannot allow to fail

The events, and their impacts, that your business faces while delivering the critical processes

How your Continuity Planning will ensure minimal disruption should these interruptions occur

How to ensure your Continuity plan remains effective.

How to exercise and maintain the Business Continuity Management plan

Course structure

A series of workshops, presentations and role-plays on topics including:

Introduction to BS

Understanding your business (threats and impacts)

Building a Business Continuity Management Plan Working with your Suppliers

Exercising and maintaining the BCP

What Next?

Further Information

The Continuity Forum BC Basics BS 25999

Understanding the Standard Event

Session type: one-day course including refreshments, lunch and all course materials and notes.

Registration and Continental Breakfast will be from 09.30, with the session commencing at 10.00 promptly.

Delegates are encouraged to make best use of the networking time available during the refreshment and lunch breaks.

Breakfast, Lunch and refreshments are included; please inform the Continuity Forum as early as possible if you have any special dietary requirements (including vegetarianism). The course is due to end at approx 17:00.

Fees: As an NGO we are able to continue to offer outstanding value, and the fees below are fully inclusive of materials and all refreshments.

Non Members: £229.00 + VAT

Members: from £80.00 + VAT

To apply for your place on this event please email Sara McKenna HERE! or call us on 0208 993 1599

Please do contact us ASAP to book your place on these highly valuable sessions as places will fill up quickly.

*** BOOKING CONDITIONS ***

New report finds business longevity, reputation and ability to succeed hampered by lack of information availability and business continuity planning.

A new report has found that the majority of UK organisations are ill prepared to ensure business continuity (BC) and information availability in the event of a disaster or pandemic, like avian flu.

The report, due out next Monday (12 Nov), found just 41 per cent of FTSE 250 companies are fully prepared for forced relocation from their offices, despite the fact that nearly half (47 per cent) of the 30 risk management representatives interviewed for it said more than 24-hours' downtime could seriously jeopardise their entire business's survival.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

THIS EVENT IS NOW CLOSED - WE WILL BE RE-RUNNING IT AGAIN SOON Please call us for more information

Location London - 18th October

Continuing the industries most popular series of events the Continuity Forum is delighted announce a Crisis Management Event to be held in Ealing on 18th October. This Full Day Session is in two parts enabling a comprehensive and thorough sharing of knowledge for all delegates.

Crisis Management Presentation Session

This morning session will discuss topics such as Managing your People and Crisis Communications. We will be discussing the latest developments in business continuity, risk management and will include recently updated information on market developments.

Crisis Management Event - Special Workshop

This afternoon workshop will continue the discussion topics of the morning session, and will allow you to expand upon your knowledge and expertise in the areas of Managing your People and Crisis Communications. This workshop offers unbiased and straightforward advice and the opportunity to work on realistic studies to expand your own planning.

Benefits of Attending

Learn vital lessons from those severely affected by serious Events

Understand how vital communications can signicantly mitigate the impacts of the event

Take the opportunity to discuss future planning and development with our expert speakers and with your fellow delegates

We will also be discussing the latest developments in business continuity, risk management and will include recently updated information on market developments .

As always, the Continuity Forum aims to remove the hype and focus on the FACTS, and to this end we are delighted to be working with high quality speakers from leading organisations and individuals in this space.

The event is aimed at offering businesses, practitioners and vendors alike unbiased and straightforward advice on the issues you face today. It is expected that this event will attract a large audience, offering potential networking with businesses and places will be limited, we urge early registration. If you have colleagues who may be interested, please do feel free to forward this invitation as soon as possible.

The event is offered at £80 to public sector members, £99 to members and will be charged at £229 plus VAT for non-members.

To book your place, please email sara.mckenna@continuityforum.org and include "CRISIS MANAGEMENT - 18th October 2007 in your subject header. Places will be reserved for members first, and then on a strictly first come first served basis.

Agenda 08.30 09.00

Registration, Networking & Breakfast Introduction & Housekeeping Sara McKenna, Programme Director, The Continuity Forum

09.10 Opening Remarks Russell Price, Chairman, Continuity Forum Mandy Rutter, Clinical Manager, ICAS Morning Session

09.30 Case Study - Why effective Communications in a Crisis is vital This case study provides you with a unique opportunity to learn from an organisation that suffered a major event. The Human Aspects of Trauma

12.30 Coffee & Networking

Communicating in a Crisis Comments & Discussion Session Lunch Afternoon Session

13.30 Introduction to the Workshop Sessions Workshop One - Communicating in a Crisis Lessons Learned on the First Workshop Coffee & Networking Managing Your People during a Crisis Lessons Learned on the Second Workshop Extended Questions and Discussion 17.00 Chair - Closing Remarks and Close of Conference

This special event is brought to you by The Continuity Forum. For further information on this event or to reserve your place at this please contact us on the details below: Sara McKenna on 0208 993 1599 or mail HERE! Please book your space ASAP!

This event forms part of our public awareness sessions and is open to both members and non-members. Preference will be given in the first instance to Full Forum Members.

This event is strictly hosted under the CHATHAM HOUSE RULE.

Category Business Continuity Management BCM - EVENTS

Business Continuity Events SERIES

Fresh from our successful September Series of events around the country, the Continuity Forum is now pleased to announce four events running in October in London focused on CRISIS MANAGEMENT, EXERCISING THE BCM PLAN, POST-EVENT RECOVERY and the BS25999 STANDARD. The dates are 16th, 18th and 24th October, and 13th November respectively. These sessions are already filling up so please do get you booking in quickly to avoid disappointment. For more details on these events please click on the links below for more information. 

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