According to a UK study by Databarracks, less than a third of respondents to a survey (29%) stated that they had tested their business continuity plan during the previous twelve months. With this in mind Business Continuity Awareness Week (BCAW 2015) which is being held between the 16th and 20th March 2015 will focus on testing and exercising business continuity plans.

"If a plan isn't reviewed and tested regularly then the only way to find out if it works is when it is put into action and that may be too late," said Cindy Bodenstein, Marketing Manager at ContinuitySA who are providing two speakers at the annual global event this year.

Throughout the week the Business Continuity Institute (BCI) who hosts the event will be collating a variety of resources for delegates for testing and exercising their own plans and helping to raise awareness of the importance of business continuity to colleagues. Full details of the content for the week can be seen on the BCI web site on http://www.thebci.org/index.php/upcomingevents/bcaw-2015

During the week leading international business continuity experts will deliver free webinars. This year's topics presented by ContinuitySA experts include :

1. Exercising Analogy: Why owning a pair of trainers does not mean you are fit (and how this applies to BCM)

Presented by: Tracey Linnell, General Manager, Advisory Services, ContinuitySA

Date and Time: March 16 2015 1:00 -2.00pm GMT

Overview of the webinar

South Africa - Johannesburg
* I purchased my trainers from a sports consultant (I have a BCM plan from a consultant – now what?)
* My trainers have gathered dust (My BCP is covered in dust and coffee stains)
* Dusting off the trainers and setting goals (Is my plan fit for purpose and what outcome am I wanting to achieve from the exercise?)
* It's a long road, with hills and valleys and even a pothole or two (Exercising maturity and challenges along the way)
* Committed to fit! (Exercising your BCP is a journey in maturity)
To register for this webinar please visit https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/1476/144905

2. From out of your comfort zone into your confidence zone

Presented by :Pete Frielinghaus, BCM Advisor, ContinuitySA

Date and Time : March 20 2015 1:00-2.00pm GMT

South Africa - Johannesburg

This webinar is based on actual experiences gained in conducting BCM tests under varying conditions and environments, including ICT as well as Business and Incident Management testing across a number of industrial sectors. During the webinar lessons learnt will be discussed from some of the following topics relating to recent tests:
* The challenges of Testing in Africa
* Relocation testing, announced and unannounced
* Barriers to effective relocation
* Environmental, political and geographic obstacles
* Expectations and Cynicism
* Social media
* Component testing, integrating both technical and business challenges
* The Crisis Management Simulation
* Real time Scenario based testing – pros and cons
* Lessons, a snapshot

To register for this webinar please visit https://www.brighttalk.com/webcast/1476/144869

All webinars will be live, offering delegates the opportunity to ask questions, as well as being recorded so they have the opportunity watch them on demand later.