The cloud is NOT the answer

Lately, I have been perusing other continuity planning blogs and have found an overwhelming number that are arguing that the cloud is equivalent to an all encompassing business continuity and crisis planning strategy. Though many of these bloggers are blogging as a means of promoting their product, not all are.

I am hear to counteract these blogs which, in my mind, are not only incorrect, but seem to be misleading readers on purpose.

You see, any experienced continuity planner can tell you that there is more to business continuity than where critical systems and data are stored. Going to a CFO or CEO  and explaining to them that you have found the holy grail of business continuity planning and that said holy grail is the cloud, will likely lead to a quick trip out the door.

Yes, I can certainly see and appreciate the merits of moving IT systems to the cloud (continuity of systems and apps, availability of data, ability to access systems and data remotely in some cases), but doing so will not in itself prepare your organization for a crisis.

What these blogs touting cloud computing fail to recognize is that there are other components of business continuity planning outside of disaster recovery. Where will the cloud get you when your crisis is a PR / communications crisis? How will it address a loss of building situation, when your building houses a call centre or a trade centre? What does it do to mitigate or prepare you for a pandemic?

As I have stated, the cloud certainly has a place in the day-to-day discussions of continuity planners, but it is receiving far too much credit and much too little skepticism.

Relying on the cloud as your continuity strategy is far too simplistic of an approach to take and will only leave your organization exposed to the many risks facing it on a daily basis. Be diligent and thorough when seeking new continuity strategies for your organization, and do not be afraid to challenge your peers when it comes to something like cloud computing - business continuity planning is a complex field and any pundit suggesting that there be a catch-all continuity strategy is misinformed or seeking to misinform.

What do you think? Do you agree or disagree?

Thanks,
The Contingency Blogger

Why knowing the DRI best practices does not = immediate success

For those new to the business continuity field, a simple understanding of the Disaster Recovery Institute’s ’10 Best Practices’ is often explained as being the sole prerequisite for entry into the workplace. Having a theoretical understanding as well as some practical experience in these best practice areas is absolutely crucial to having any semblance of a successful business continuity career.

Unfortunately, workplace demeanor, soft skills and attitude required to coincide with the theoretical knowledge is often overlooked by many of the leading business continuity training institutions. Students are often provided a base-level of knowledge (and in some cases, experience), given their ABCP credentials and, subsequently, are sent off to face the world. Many of these individuals who entered educational institutions full of vim, vigor and excitement are left unemployed or underemployed, or are working in positions in which they can’t possibly succeed long-term.

While it is a shame that our educational institutions are not providing insight into the ‘other prerequisites’, it can be understood as there is only so much time during a school year and much to cover. That said, it would be ideal to see educators provide at least a base understanding of what is really required in the workplace to succeed – and student success is the end goal, is it not?

Well, I would like to provide my two cents as I have seen too many colleagues fail early in their careers. My top five tips to recent entrants into the workforce are as follows:

-          Be vocal on all matters potentially related to business continuity and take charge, while not appearing to be confrontational or cocky. Employers appreciate someone who is willing to voice their opinion whilst not insulting or tearing down those of a colleague. Having your (educated) opinion heard will help garner respect from those around you.

-          Learn about the organization, and when you think you know all that you can possibly know, dig deeper. It is impossible to develop an effective, useful, and truly comprehensive continuity program for an organization that you do not 100% understand. Efforts will be made in vain and misdirected. Don’t be afraid to ask those around you, and those above you, for information / context / and history on the organizations continuity program. Review any and all documentation made available to you by your direct report and your predecessor.

-          Be flexible and open to critique. Just because you did things a certain way while in school doesn’t mean you can’t be open to new ideas and new approaches suggested by those around you. Outright rejecting any ideas or opinions made to you will immediately raise a red flag. On the contrary, those who are willing to listen to the suggestions of other and blend their ideas with outside ideas often appear brilliant at the end of the day. Those that do not appear confrontational and defensive… Not a good start!

-          Understand expectations. Not having a VERY clear understanding of expectations will lead to misguided efforts and a failure to meet expectations / priorities set in the minds of your direct reports. There is nothing more frustration than ‘flying blind’, but working hard, only to be told that you have missed the mark.

-          Be approachable and helpful. Your role is to help protect the interests and operations of the business (i.e. you are providing a service to the business). Colleagues will only put up with an inapproachable individual for so long before they are no longer willing to work with them. These individuals will steer clear of you even when they require your assistance, and as a result, your value to the organization will begin to decline. On the other hand, colleagues will sing your praises if you are open and willing to help them reach their end goal.

Above all else, remain positive, and care about what you do – it will be reflective in your quality of work.

Thanks for reading,

The Continuity Blogger