Business continuity management - Essay Example

Business Continuity Management In modern world, continuity management and unexpected incidents prevention has become an urgent need from the standpoint of national safety. This point is explained by the fact that business is an integral part of national and global economy which requires special attention and government actions to be made in order to protect national security and business itself. Unlike corporate management issues where the manager can step back away from the table and do a re-assessment of the situation based on the data presented, the incident commander does not have that option.

For this reason, government views BCM as a bridge between theory and practice which helps it to eliminate risks to government services and business activities. BCM programs and plans are a part of risk management and emergency operations on the government level. At the beginning of the 21st century, government promotes new programs and policies aimed to protect all spheres of business and population. These decisions can have multiple influences and affects on the lives of civilians involved in the incident and the lives of rescuers, the lives of managers operating in the BCM system and population in general (Chandler, Wallace, 2004).

Even seemed insignificant element of data that is missed or resource not assigned, a division or task force assigned to the wrong area or not tracked properly has resulted in catastrophic consequences for the entire population and business activities. For this reason, BCM supports considerably the development of improved accountability system for tracking personnel and resources, ministries and business agencies. Perception of the threat is a significant motivating principle for government, however, it influences the pace, nature, and extent of development and implementation of security policy and measures.

The principle of the rule of law has been, and remains, a constant in current BCM policy.To promote and implement BCM programs, government introduces BCP (plans) for businesses and organizations aimed to improve their security measures and safety regulations. (Terror threat brings BCM into focus, 2004). For instance, in 2000 Australia has introduced a new code which 'obliged' all organizations to develop risk management programs and regulations. If they fail to meet these requirements, they will face potential liability under changes to Australia's Commonwealth Code.

Commonwealth's Critical Infrastructure Policy highlights regulations and policies of BCM (AUSTRALIA POST, 2006). After events 9/11, the USA has implemented a "homeland security" program based on newly revised National Incident Management system model for all business sectors, federal and government agencies. Using the established model and referring to the National Fire Protection Association standards for Incident command models and criteria, BCM has been developed and practically tested in model operations, and then in real-time conditions.

Also, the US has introduced The Ensuring Congressional Security and Continuity Act and The Continuity of Operations Planning (COOP) directives, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, Sarbanes Oxley Act (some sections cover BCM policies) (Business Continuity Management, 2006). UK has put into effect the Civil Contingencies Act (2006) for local and national agencies, Guidelines on Contingency Planning for Possible Influence Pandemic (Business Continuity Advice, 2006). "UK Government committees such as Greenbury, Hampel and, most recently, have made all Risk Management issues a key feature of corporate stewardship at the highest level" (Business Continuity Advice, 2006).

In sum, governments of the USA, UK and Australia implement special programs and safety rules for such events as pandemics, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, etc. They sponsor conferences and finance projects in such areas as Avian Influenza (the Bird Flu), terrorism, tsunamis etc. The governments support computer software and hardware development for BCM and the public safety markets. The governments of the USA, UK and Australia are going to expend current programs and introduce international BCM programs and polices in order to increase safety measures and social security worldwide (Business Continuity. 2006). References1.

AUSTRALIA POST Chooses COOP Systems for BCM Software Package. 2006. Retrieved from http://www.coop-systems.com/about/090606.html 2. Business Continuity Advice. 2006 Retrieved from http://www.pfe.gov.uk/business/continuity.shtm3. Business Continuity. 2006. Retrieved from http://www.fluwikie.com/pmwiki.phpn=Consequences.WorkplaceContinuity 4. Business Continuity Management. 2006. Retrieved from http://www.fin.gov.bc.ca/ocg/fmb/manuals/CPM/16_Business_Continuity_Mgmt.htm#1615. Chandler, Robert C.

Wallace, J.D. 2004. Business continuity planning after September. Disaster Recovery Journal, 17 (3), Summer, pp.24-28.6. Terror threat brings BCM into focus. 2004. Retrieved from http://www.riskmanagementmagazine.com.au/articles/AC/0C02DEAC.aspType=124&Category=1245