25 Feb 2009

Firms should 'know their assets' for disaster recovery

Businesses who want to implement effective disaster recovery plans need to know what their exact assets are, says one expert.

Karen Conneely, group commercial manager at Real Asset Management, tells Continuity Central that more businesses are opting to invest in disaster recovery as part of the business continuity schemes.

However, the expert warns that these companies need to know exactly what is being recovered for the plans to work effectively.

She says data needs to be gathered on asset type, value and location, as firms cannot protect assets they are not aware they have.

Ms Conneely tells the source many businesses report their asset register is, at worst, five per cent inaccurate, figures she describes as shocking to some companies when they reveal the extent of it.

She adds: "With poor, inconsistent asset information how can any company feel confident in its business continuity planning and investment – from insurance to disaster recovery?"

Ms Conneely's comments follow advice from Alex Hindson, risk manager at Aon Global Risk consulting, who told the Times businesses should enact their disaster recovery plans quickly and efficiently.