Firms 'ill-prepared for disaster'

Firms 'ill-prepared for disaster'

Firms need to back up data in case of disaster

More than a quarter of a million businesses in the UK are ill-prepared for how a disaster such as a terrorist attack could affect their technology systems.

A survey commissioned by information technology services company TDM Group showed that around 360,000 businesses are ignoring how to get computer systems up and running quickly in the event of a disaster.

Most businesses started taking the issue seriously following the amount of time it took firms to get back on an operational footing after the September 11 attacks.

The survey found that 79% of firms claim to have back-ups in place that would have their systems up and running within minutes of a disaster.

Numbers exaggerated

But the 360,000 firms, mostly in the manufacturing industry, that have no plans need to get their act together.

"Not having disaster recovery provisions in place is a bit like driving a car without a seat belt," said Dennis Wijsmuller, Managing Director of TDM Group.

He recommends they consider hosting their servers externally and mirroring them, as well as backing up their data at an external location.

He added that the high number saying they are prepared was probably exaggerated.

"People don't want to admit they are not ready," he said.

Managing risk

Unsurprisingly firms in the financial sector are the most prepared, with 92% of system managers saying that they could get their networks back running almost instantly after a disaster.

Mike Lucas, Technology Manager at software firm Compuware, believes it is time companies started applying risk management to technology systems in the same way that insurance firms do.

"Most businesses would struggle to operate without their information technology applications, hence it is imperative that companies test their systems to ensure they are as robust as possible," he said.

"Insurance and investment communities have been using risk management practices for many years now, and its time those of us in technology followed suit," he added.