I recently returned to a client for whom I had created a business continuity (BC) and disaster recovery (DR) plan two years ago (In recovery, letters.computing.co.uk).

Despite a number of prompts, they had never tested the plan subsequent to our initial test. The person responsible for updating the plan had left the company nine months after its creation – taking all his knowledge – and the task was given to the office junior.

Needless to say they had neither the understanding or the incentive to make sure it was kept up-to-date, but it really was not that person’s fault. Luckily, the company had not suffered any catastrophic problems – but came close to a couple. The new managing director now understands the worth of such preparation and has appointed a senior manager to be responsible for BC/DR.

They have carried out two tests since January and now feel very “safe” and prepared for just about any eventuality. It is right to have a BC/DR plan, but someone has to take responsibility for it.

Mike McNamara