BUSINESS CONTINUITY: How to Keep Your Unit on Track when Circumstances Threaten Derailment

Earlier this year, I came across a report about a company in Virginia that was forced to completely shut down following a catastrophic fire in its processing facility. The 75-year-old company was one of the biggest employers in its county, but because they failed to put in place a business continuity plan, dozens of people are out of a job.

One month later, another report came out about a similar company. Another fire. No continuity plan. And 70 more people are now without a job indefinitely.

UKIA’s role within the University is to identify risk – and help to mitigate it. As we are conducting reviews in various units around campus and across the state, we see how hard you work every day to make this University the best it can be.  We help you find ways to make operations more efficient and ensure that things like money and data are properly secured. In so doing, we learn a lot about the plans you are making, the processes you have in place – and those you don’t.  One of the most common missing links is a Business Continuity Plan.

It’s also one of the most important.

According to the University of Kentucky Hazard Mitigation Plan 2016, the primary risks we face on UK’s Lexington campus stem from natural hazards – severe storms, flooding, fires, tornados and even earthquakes – all of which could one day prevent us from accessing our places of work. But with careful planning, the inability to get to work does not have to mean the inability to work.

That’s where a Business Continuity Plan comes in.

Does your unit need to develop one?  The UK Division of Crisis Management & Preparedness has some great tools and templates on its website to help you assess your unit’s unique vulnerabilities and begin developing a plan.  By investing just a little time, you can rest assured knowing that the continuity and recovery preparedness plan you develop will help you maintain your unit’s productivity, protect the University and safeguard the livelihoods of those in your unit.

Visit the UK Crisis Management & Preparedness website to get started.