Crucial Items Often Overlooked in Biz Continuity/Disaster Plans, says Edwards Information, Publisher of Industry's Resource Guide.

BROOKLINE, Mass. -- When engaged in disaster and business continuity planning, executives, even professionals in the field, often miss key areas that could leave their company even more vulnerable in time of crisis. The publisher of the Edwards Information Disaster Recovery Yellow Pages, a directory of business continuity and disaster recovery resources, has pulled together some of the items most often overlooked in planning for disasters. This resource is helpful when reviewing the first draft or conducting a semi-annual review of an existing plan. The complete list of 20 factors is available on Edwards Information's website: http://www.edwardsinformation.com.

Only about 50% of companies have implemented corporate-wide business continuity and disaster recovery plans, up from 30% five years ago, according to a 2004 Deloitte & Touche LLP and CPM Global Assurance study. The need is broad, too, as 19% of companies have suffered a disaster which caused their organization to cease operations for a period of time, according to a 2004 study by AT&T and the Partnership for Public Warning.

"Most companies will back up their computer systems and get those backups off site, but many other steps may be missed, even with a sophisticated plan," said Dr. Steven Lewis, C.I.S.A., editor-in-chief of the Edwards Information Disaster Recovery Yellow Pages and a nationally-know business continuity expert.

When reviewing how your company plans to deal with disasters, from hurricanes, floods and tornadoes to power system failures, fires and terrorism, here are some of the most commonly overlooked areas:

--Vulnerability of telephone and network terminators to falling water

Many disasters involve water getting in the building, yet most telephone and networking central controls are not protected from falling water. The telephone panel on the wall and the networking racks are often not shielded from the sprinklers or from water coming down the wall or the cables to the rack. When hit by water, they burn out.

--Employees personal-life situations that limit emergency response

Disaster plans often require key employees to locate to a computer hot site in an emergency. Single parents, employees who are caring for ill relatives, and those who rely on public transportation may have severe limitations as to what they can do during an emergency. Find these things out in advance. Then plan around the limitations, relocating the hot site or assigning other staff to cover.

--Exits requiring keys

Particularly in older buildings, or institutions open to the public, such as banks, keys are needed to exit certain building doors. For everyone's safety, every exit door needs to be operable from the inside without a key.

--Accessibility of checks and purchase orders

The two most important documents in any disaster are the company checks and purchase orders. A customized check printer may take a week or more to replace, if damaged. A supply of preprinted checks and purchase orders must be kept off-site; ready to purchase critical equipment and supplies.

--The needs of outside emergency organizations

Solid planning may be in place for the company's headquarters, but remote sites may be forgotten. As part of their periodic disaster plan review, planners should confirm that the fire and police departments covering these locations have up-to-date contact information, and that the fire department has a set of building plans.

--The company's priority to utility companies and vendors

Many planners assume that because of the nature of their organization (bank, nursing home, etc.), the utility companies and vendors will assign them a high priority in recovery operations. During the 2004 hurricane devastation in Florida, many nursing home operators, among others, found out otherwise.

--Back-up vendors for key support services 

When a large-scale disaster strikes, the vendors of commonly needed items, such as generators or services such as pumping out flooded basements, become overwhelmed. Anticipate this and locate second-source vendors outside the region. The Edwards Information Disaster Recovery Yellow Pages can be very helpful here.

In addition to the full list of 20 factors overlooked, the Edwards Information website also has resources for companies that have not yet begun their planning. "The stakes are too high. It's time to take the first steps," said Doug Tanger, president.

The Edwards Information Disaster Recovery Yellow Pages, published by Edwards Information, LLC, has the resources organizations need to plan for, and recover from, a disaster, whether natural, accidental or intentional. It's the most comprehensive directory in the field with more than 3000 listings in 355 categories, now in its 14th year. The directory helps both professional business continuity managers and general mangers involved in disaster planning locate hard-to-find resources in the planning process and on-the-spot during emergencies. For more information on the directory, visit http://www.edwardsinformation.com or call 1-800-990-9936.

The planning tips above and on the Edwards Information website are not recommendations tailored to a particular organization and do not replace the advice of trained professionals.