Most small businesses do not have disaster recovery plansMost small businesses do not have disaster recovery plans: Forty percent of small businesses do not reopen after disaster, still most businesses do not have disaster recovery plans

Published 9 December 2005

What with 9/11, 7 July train bombings in London, and Katrina, we know that disasters can and do strike. Yet, fewer than one-third of small business stake holders are ready with a plan, according to a recent survey of small businesses sponsored by Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Citrix Systems (Nasdaq: CTXS). Still, 55 percent of respondents pronounced such plans to be of mid- to high-level importance. Furthermore, 34 percent indicated that business continuity is more important today than it was five years ago, citing an increased threat of terrorism, natural disasters, and economic fluctuations, as well as greater business volume. At the same time, 45 percent denied the importance of a business continuity plan, indicating an alarming lack of preparedness among America’s small businesses. The poll also found that affordability and simplicity are the most critical considerations for smaller companies when purchasing computer technology designed to improve workplace efficiency - a key consideration in times of workplace disruptions.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) notes that about 40 percent of small businesses do not reopen after a major disaster.

Highlights of the survey were presented today at a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., held by The Telework Coalition (TelCoa) and the Association of Contingency Planners (ACP)

-read more at Citrix Web site; also see the Web site of the Association of Contingency Planners