ACE and Willis Re Analytics has launched the ACE Cat Web platform to help companies evaluate their own catastrophe exposures, as well as those of their suppliers and customers. Following the worst ever year for global catastrophe losses in 2011, which highlighted the vulnerability of many companies’ operations to supply chain interruption, the web-based platform is designed to help businesses understand better their catastrophe risk profile and accumulations in different locations.

Aon is urging firms to ensure threats to business continuity are considered as 37 countries were regraded in its 2012 Terrorism & Political Violence Map. As austerity measures and spending cuts took hold throughout 2012, civil unrest, riots, strikes and student protests were witnessed across large parts of Europe. The UK, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal and Spain were all regraded from low to medium risk. Dramatic political change in the Arab world continued to cause aftershocks in that region and beyond.

While the Business Continuity Awards 2012 are now closed for entries, there is still time to vote for this year's Industry Personality of the Year . This year's finalists are Will Brown, head of business resilience, KPMG UK; Drew Gibson, business continuity manager, Canary Wharf Group; Gayle Hedgecock, payments integrity consultant, UK Payments; Colin Ive, founding director, CoDRIM; Andy Tomkinson, Olympic Park incident management & business continuity, LOCOG & the Paralympic Games; and Kathryn Wakeman, managing director, global T&O controls oversight, JP Morgan Chase & Co.

The Business Continuity Awards recognise the endeavours of business continuity, security, resilience and risk professionals. Judged by an independent panel of experts for exceptional performance, service and results in this dynamic industry, this year's winners will be announced and awarded at the Gala Dinner on Wednesday 30th May 2012 – an evening that brings together industry leaders for a night of networking and celebration. This year's shortlist follows...