The increasing threat of terrorism and disease pandemics are prompting businesses to take a harder look at how to maintain operational continuity in the face of such a crisis. Companies must be able to safeguard and support their staff and customers, while, at the same time, implement solid continuity measures and recovery options to help them restore critical functions in the event of a business disruption.
The BCM standard - SS540 is a Singapore Standard that establishes the framework for businesses to analyse and implement strategies, process and procedures. It emphasises resilience and protection of critical assets, including human, environment, intangible and physical. It also focuses on continuity management and recovery of critical business functions which are applicable for businesses of any size.
Together with the prevailing global BS 25999-2: 2007 standard for establishing and maintaining a documented BCM system, these standards and guidelines help Singapore companies complement both their business continuity management and information security management initiatives, ensuring minimal impact of potential business disruptions such as IT viruses and supply chain disruptions.
TÜV SÜD PSB has been helping local companies maintain a high level of global competitiveness through third-party BCM audits and certification. In addition to helping them ensure complete information and service availability during a disaster or failure, it also provides consultative expertise to ensure long-term complete recovery. To date, it has already certified many organisations in various business sectors including critical service businesses.
"The management understands the importance of impartiality in our certification of management systems. We will use all reasonable efforts to manage all possible conflicts of interest and ensure objectivity of our certification services".