Business Continuity

BCP ignorance slows Asia's response to H1N1

By Robin Hicks | 2 July 2009

A lack of awareness of business continuity planning (BCP) is hampering the efforts of the private sector to keep productivity levels high as the H1N1 virus spreads in Asia, according to an expert in the field.

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While companies are increasingly worried by the spread of “swine flu”, many do not fully understand the concept of business continuity, let alone know how to plan and implement a BC strategy, according to Henry Ee, Director of industry body BCP Asia.

“Many organisations are trying to figure out what can be done on their own initiative, without even a basic understanding of business continuity planning,” he said.

Even if businesses do not think about every aspect of pandemic response, they need to think more carefully about “low-hanging fruit” continuity measures, he said.

“Working from home and splitting work locations are two simple things that can be done to avoid the prospect of a single point of failure. But it’s very important that these measures are tested first. If someone falls ill, are there people who can perform his or her tasks? And do remote or home workers have network password clearance?”

Local small to medium-sized enterprises are more vulnerable to multinationals in terms of the negative impact on productivity caused by H1N1 - because they are less able to decentralise their operations.

“Many SMEs are asking for last-minute help, which defeats the purpose of business continuity planning,” said Ee.

Although more than 360 more cases of “swine flu” were reported in Asia Pacific this week, there pervades a “this will not happen to me” attitude, and the feeling that the H1N1 outbreak will not have the same impact as Sars, added Ee.