There is also a surprise movement in the UK's rating, which has been downgraded from low to medium low over 'limited concerns' that an increased debilitating tax on the oil revenues of both major and independent oil producers in the North Sea may indicate a new trend in the British Treasury's thinking, with the possibility that such companies' tax environment could be drastically altered.
The countries which have been put on alert because of bird flu are Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, China (PRC), China (Taiwan) and Thailand - all under watch for trade disruption, and currently rated medium risk. Nigeria is also similarly downgraded from medium to medium high risk, over concerns that increased violence in the Niger delta and avian-flu like viruses may disrupt oil production.
AS 56 BECOMES BRITISH STANDARD
Best practice guidance for business continuity planning, PAS 56:2003, is to become a British Standard and will achieve formal standard status to be known as the BS 25999 series. The first part in the new series will establish the process, principles and terminology of business continuity management (BCM), providing a basis for understanding, developing and implementing business continuity within an organisation to provide confidence in business-to-business and business-to-customer dealings. In addition, it will also provide a set of controls based on BCM best practice and covers the whole BCM lifecycle.
Due for publication in late spring 2006, the draft for public comment for BS 25999-1 will be available to download at www.bsi-global.com/risk.
