FORUM ACTIVITIES update

The Continuity Forum’s mission is to build the resilience of organisations internationally, regardless of size or sector, through education and the promotion of best practice in Business Continuity Management and its related disciplines. The Forum is dedicated to aiding the growth and the development of the Continuity sector and appropriate standards.

One of our key aims is to lobby government, regulators and industry to recognise the vital importance and contribution of Business Continuity Management and its related disciplines to organisations and the need to establish a culture of embedded Continuity

We support this aim by

· Encouraging the development of BCM through co-operation and collaboration with all organisations relevant to the development of the sector.

· Engaging government, regulators and trade bodies to promote BCM and encourage adherence to recognised standards for BCM and professional practice.

In support of this approach Continuity Forum has, the in past 12 months, has built upon existing relationships and established new relationships with appropriate organisations. Examples of these relationships and activities are shown below:

British Standards Institution (BSI) – Continuity Forum have been working with BSI on the proposal to create a BCM standard and will sit on the sub-committee that will create the new high level standard based on PAS 56. Continuity Forum is also exploring other possibilities for guides that related to elements of BCM.

Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) is one of the leading professional accountancy bodies in the UK and the only one that specialises in the public services. It is responsible for the education and training of professional accountants and for their regulation through the setting and monitoring of professional standards. John Sharp is a member of the Resilience sub group on the Better Governance Forum providing BCM input.

Chartered Management Institute (CMI) – Continuity Forum, working with one of their Gold Members – Veritas, are supporting the sixth annual survey into Business Continuity Awareness amongst general managers to discover what the key causes behind business disruption have been over the past twelve months and explore the impact that these interruptions have had. The report will also offer insights into UK organisations' preparedness for disaster and track changes in attitudes since 1999. The research, scheduled to be launched in March in support of Business Continuity Awareness Week.

City of London Police – Continuity Forum has formed a relationship with the City of London Police and are working with them to ensure appropriate BCM advice is available through the Police website.

Civil Contingencies Secretariat – John Sharp has been an active member of the teams writing the draft guidance and regulations supporting the new Civil Contingencies Act. Initially he worked with the Civil Contingencies Secretariat on the background to the Bill and subsequently provided input to the BCM Planning and Promotion sections of the draft guidance.

European Telecoms Resilience and Recovery Association (ECTR2A) is a EU funded body with a remit to improve telecommunications resilience and suppliers and organisations. John Sharp is a member of the Advisory Board providing BCM input.

London Resilience Team – Government Office for London. John Sharp has been an active member of the LRT Business and Critical Infrastructure Teams. He currently sits on two working parties, one looking at how BCM can be included in new Corporate Governance regulations and the other concerned with improving the promotion of BCM to the wider business community across London. Continuity Forum is also working to ensure that LRT gain maximum exposure for its work during Business Continuity Awareness Week 2005, (13 - 18 March 2005).

Metropolitan Police – John Sharp has been a member of the Met Police executive team for BCM for some time, providing high-level advice on improving the continuity capabilities of the police service in the greater London area.

National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) is a specialist police organisation co-located with the Security Service in the National Security Advice Centre (NSAC). The organisation co-ordinates a nationwide network of specialist police advisors known as Counter Terrorist Security Advisors who can offer help on counter terrorism security. Continuity Forum has a long-standing relationship with NaCTSO proving help and assistance on BCM. The Forum is currently providing input on a new Security publication being produced by NaCTSO and London First.

National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre (NISCC) is an interdepartmental organisation set up to co-ordinate and develop existing work within Government departments and agencies and organisations in the private sector to defend the CNI against electronic attack. Continuity Forum have established a relationship with NISCC to explore how the use of their new Warning, Advising and Reporting tool (WARP) can be used to improve the communication of BCM issues.

Scottish Business Crime Centre is a non-profit making organisation created in 1996 under the Business Crime Reduction Strategy for Scotland, to establish a unique partnership approach between the Police, business community and Government. The main function of the Centre is to provide practical advice to the business/commercial sectors on how to develop business crime reduction and prevention strategies. Continuity Forum is very active in providing BCM advice to the Centre and to their audiences.

In addition to the above activities Continuity Forum is working with many other organisations including ALARM, Bank of England, British Bankers Association. Business Link for London, CBI, City of London Emergency Liaison Team, Communications Managers Association, Federation of Small Business, FSA, Home Office, IoD, London Chambers of Commerce, London Connects and OFCOM.