BS 25999 Should Have Power Continuity at Its Core
Thursday, February 21st, 2008
I feel short-changed, having read the specifications and code of practice of the new business continuity standard BS 25999 from BSI. As I mentioned here the other day, problems with mains power supply are far more common than most potential disasters. Incidents of interruption in electricity supply stood at 21 million in 2006 (according to a DTI report), other disasters (such as fire, flood, terrorism, public disorder and so forth) combined could not reach that total. Securing electricity supply is not merely about installing UPS, as with BCM it requires a well thought through and planned out strategy and this is not mentioned once in either the code or specification.
I do not wish to appear to knock the standard. It is, in my view, long overdue and much needed. But I feel that by not specifying a power continuity strategy, it is left wanting. Without electrical energy there would be no business continuity for most businesses and operations. That is a fact. It should, therefor, in my view be a central theme for any BCM strategy and therefore mentioned in BS 25999.
If you want to know more about what constitutes a power continuity strategy read The Power Protection Guide.
