UK companies fail to plan for disasters

According to research from the Business Continuity Institute (BCI), 53 per cent of companies in the UK have no contingency plans for disaster recovery, and fewer (11 per cent) have ever tested their strategies.

"If nothing else, we are urgently calling upon UK businesses to do two things," said John Sharp, chief executive of BCI. "Develop a business continuity plan for their organisation and test it at least once a year. Not to do so is playing with fire."

Out of the 461 respondents, small to medium sized businesses fared worst of all.

"Practical information on simple steps companies can take to protect their business and IT platform is readily available," said Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP, Minister of State for Local and Regional Government. "The plan should be a living document - sometimes weaknesses will only be discovered when it is put into action. Testing and rehearsal are critical to ensure the arrangements are connected and rubust."

The company released the information at the Business Continuity Expo in London. The exhibition continues until March 10th, 2004.