Written by Thomas P.J. Bodkin, BA (Hons), CIRM, RRP
www.governmenttechnology.co.uk
RISK MANAGEMENT
READY FOR ANYTHING Research suggests that complacency in business continuity planning remains a major issue despite wake up calls from incidents as diverse as flooding, power cuts, terrorism and Internet viruses THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN HAS had direct impact on the day-to-day business of government departments and their respective agencies. In recent years government departments and their respective government agencies have experienced drastic cuts in human resources all in the name of streamlining processes and a reliance on Information Technology. The pressures of increased footfall, telephone calls, and e-mails are a reality across government departments and agencies. It is all too evident that inappropriate downsizing to meet public perceptions of overspend is now coming home to haunt decision makers who find themselves having to employ staff to meet the demands of providing a robust
service to the public. The loss of experienced staff due to cost benefit analysis is a factor that will also haunt decision-makers for a long time to come. One wonders if lessons will be learned as a result of ‘expedient’ economic decisions that are ill-thought out and are often the result of knee jerk reactions. A PART OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT Risk management and business continuity planning are two strands of the business management process that are here to stay. However, the concept of a ‘business ethic’ is an ingredient lacking in both strands. This is not the place to discuss the benefits of an imbedded business ethic but merely to make the salient point that an ‘ethic’ has a
ABOUT THE IRM Thomas P.J. Bodkin, BA (Hons), CIRM, RRP is a Certificant Member of the Institute of Risk Management. The Institute of Risk Management runs specialist distance learning courses on ‘Public sector risk’ and on ‘Business continuity and crisis management’ as part of its International Diploma in Risk Management. See www.theirm.org for details. role to play in business continuity planning. Business organisations that fail to prepare for disasters by not having in place well tested and tried business continuity plans are in danger
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY
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