Business continuity: corporate responses. (Business Briefs).

A recent survey of business continuity professionals found that 76 percent of the respondents said their organization has reviewed its business continuity plans since last September 11. Fifty two percent of those surveyed made some changes to their plan, while 10 percent completely overhauled their plans and 14 percent reviewed their plans but did not make any changes. Surprisingly, 21 percent responded that they had neither reviewed nor revised their plans.

Strohl Systems, a global company in business continuity planning software and services, joined with Contingency Planning & Management magazine to conduct the online survey earlier this year. The percentages are based on 1,437 responses; 15 percent of the responses came from outside the U.S.

"While the events of September 11 have exponentially increased awareness of business continuity planning, I am slightly surprised that more organizations didn't at least review their plans," said Brian Turley, president of Strohi Systems. "But it is very encouraging to hear that many organizations are taking BCP more seriously."

Other significant results from the survey:

* 86 percent of respondents noted that their organization had experienced a heightened awareness of business continuity since September. 11, while just 13 percent said theirs had not.

* 41 percent think September 11 will most likely bring increased physical security. Twenty-four percent chose increased information security; 17 percent thought the terrorist attacks could increase their BCP budget. Only 3 percent expect an increase in telecommuting, and 13 percent expect less travel.

* 53 percent said their plan covers all business units. Twenty-three percent said their plan covers key internal functions, while 21 percent said their plan only covers IT functions.

* 48 percent said their organization updates its plan whenever needed; 19 percent said they did it quarterly, 5 percent said monthly and 2 percent said daily.