Research shows that 70% of businesses which suffered a catastrophic data loss were closed within eighteen months

Back2business (b2b), based at the Airport Business Centre in Plymouth, has held Disaster Recovery sessions for over 60 local businesses at its newly launched Disaster Recovery Centre.

Managers discovered that, although 100% of those businesses attending had heard of business continuity, 42% had no business continuity plan in place at all. The positive news is that 83% of attendees will now pursue a business continuity plan as a result of attending a b2b Disaster Recovery session.

b2b managers are committed to further encouraging business owners to give serious thought to the importance of business continuity plans and are also keen to raise awareness of the financial benefits involved, such as insurance premium discounts.

Steve Harvey, from WPS Insurance Brokers and Risk Managers, Plymouth, said: “Insurance in itself will not save a business from a serious incident. Core strategic planning and resources like b2b will!”

One attendee, who did not wish to be named, added: “At present, we do not have a business continuity plan in place. I feel the disaster recovery session provided us with the information needed to move forward with a business continuity plan.”

David Young, Managing Director of b2b, said: “The fact that so many local businesses signed up to these disaster recovery sessions is a very positive step in the right direction and I hope all businesses across the U.K take appropriate action to ensure they do not fall victim to lack of vital business continuity planning.”