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Physical Security, Employee Safety Growing Concern for Operational Resilience

Findings from the latest Emergency Communication Report, published by the Business Continuity Institute (BCI), indicate that preserving physical security and safety of employees is the greatest concern for business continuity and resilience professionals, especially, when it comes to producing emergency communications plans. The report also showed that one third (34%) of the countries visited by those employees are considered ‘high risk’ for safety-related concerns.

The Emergency Communications Report, supported by Everbridge, did deliver the encouraging news that the use of emergency communications plans rose from 84% to 86% this year. Over a third of those without emergency communication plans stated that these processes are also not included in their business continuity plans. However, the lack of top management support this year is considered to be another significant issue, rising by 12% from last year.

Further findings from the report include:

– Organizations are increasingly concerned about communicating with a mobile workforce. 40% of organizations reported having more than one-hundred staff who travel overseas. 34% considered the countries that their staff travel to as high-risk areas.

– The human factor remains pivotal to the success of emergency communications plans. Building skills and raising awareness of emergency communications are central in implementing effective plans during a disruption. 75% of respondents include emergency communications plans in their training and education plans.

– Business continuity professionals have a central role in managing emergency communications, but they need to collaborate with other resilience disciplines.

Gianluca Riglietti CBCI, Research and Insights Manager at the BCI, and author of the report, commented: “This year the BCI Emergency Communications report highlights how the issue of physical security is on the rise. The number of organizations adopting specific arrangements related to physical security is increasing, possibly due to events such as extreme weather or terrorist attacks. It is important that professionals from different disciplines work together to ensure organizations are made more resilient.”

Imad Mouline, Chief Technology Officer at Everbridge, commented:

“This year’s Emergency Communications Report gives practitioners actionable takeaways to improve critical event preparedness. The results show key improvements but there remain gaps in planning which must continue to be addressed. Amongst these gaps is the time taken to execute plans, and the lack of support from top management. It’s vital that organizations consider the findings and act appropriately to improve their comprehensive approach to critical event management.”

Down the report and learn more at TheBCI.org.

Continuity Insights

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