The NHS has issued an Amber Alert over a shortage of blood supplies following the recent cyber attack on Synnovis. An Amber Alert is a part of the NHS’s business continuity plan for blood stocks that triggers hospitals to implement their emergency measures to minimise usage; move staff to laboratories to vet the use of all O type blood; and use patient blood management systems to minimise use of O type blood.

The 26th annual Business Continuity Awards took place last week at the London Marriott Grosvenor Square. Congratulations to all our finalists and especially to Business Continuity Resilience Manager of the Year, James Parrish from London Stansted Airport, Newcomer of the Year, Adam Bartlett from Virgin Atlantic...

Technology and business resilience specialist, Databarracks, has secured a growth finance facility from Allica Bank to help fuel its further expansion.

Facilities management company, Mitie, has achieved ISO 31000:2018 certification, the international standard that validates organisations’ guidelines and principles for risk management.

With four months remaining until the deadline for implementation, EU member states are being urged to finalise their preparations for compliance with the new Network and Information Security Directive.

The 10th May saw an historic in-person event with our East African, Nigerian, Zimbabwe and South African Groups for ‘IRM’s Strategy for the African continent’ combined with the institute’s maiden board visit to Kenya. Set against this backdrop, the meeting offered a unique opportunity for around 150 senior-level professionals specialising in risk, quality assurance, compliance, audit and accounting to convene.

Technology and business resilience specialist Databarracks has acquired Glasgow-based PlanB Consulting. Customers of the combined business can now benefit from a full suite of end-to-end operational resilience services. from data protection, disaster recovery, business continuity and incident response, through to cyber incident exercising.

The Institute of Risk Management is embarking on a significant milestone in its globalisation strategy with a forthcoming board visit to Kenya. The purpose of this visit is to showcase the strategic commitment of the IRM and the East Africa Regional Group to the risk management profession in Africa.

The World Health Organization has this week expressed concern regarding the potential for transmission of avian influenza to other species, including humans. During a press briefing in Geneva Thursday, WHO's chief scientist, Jeremy Farrar, referred to the situation as one of "enormous concern".

Sarah Armstrong-Smith's perspectives on the perpetual principles of resilience

Fusion Risk Management has announced general availability of its AI-powered assistant. Based on industry best practices and 20 years of practical resilience and continuity experience, Resilience Copilot has been designed to allow practitioners to automate manual and time-consuming activities, obtain deeper insights into incidents, and rapidly respond to disruptions.

The deadline for the 2024 Business Continuity Awards has been extended by two weeks. Celebrating achievement in business continuity, security and resilience, the Business Continuity Awards are the most anticipated and celebrated event in the business continuity calendar, providing unrivalled networking, alongside a night of entertainment and celebration.

The 2024 Business Continuity Awards are open for entries. Celebrating achievement in business continuity, security and resilience, the Business Continuity Awards are the most anticipated and celebrated event in the business continuity calendar, providing unrivalled networking, alongside a night of entertainment and celebration.

Databarracks has successfully achieved ISO 22301 certification, the international standard that defines the requirements and best practices for business continuity management. This means that Databarracks has demonstrated it has the procedures and practices in place to adequately manage risks to its own continuity of operations, and to its ability to continue providing services to its clients.

In our interconnected global economy, the recent disruptions in the Red Sea have reverberated throughout the realm of continuity insurance and risk management. The attacks carried out by Houthi rebels on commercial vessels in the Bab-el-Mandeb strait have already had substantial repercussions. Shipping cost increases have intensified over the past few weeks along routes that traditionally rely on the Suez Canal.