UK : Vodafone UK’s 3G voice and mobile broadband service has gained BS 25999 certification from BSI Management Systems.  BS 25999 is an auditable standard awarded after stringent assessment and proves that Vodafone UK has a business continuity management system designed to ensure business as usual through the most challenging and unexpected circumstances. For customers, this represents further demonstration of the high quality and reliability of  the Vodafone network.

For businesses to continue to operate successfully, it is becoming essential to have robust business continuity plans in place.  Partnering with communications providers who have certified and internationally recognised business continuity processes is becoming a core element for customers to achieve their own certification.

“More customers are asking for evidence of their partners’ business continuity credentials. Vodafone UK’s BS25999 certification sends a clear signal that we are going the extra mile to support our customers’ needs,” explains Peter Kelly, Enterprise Director, Vodafone UK.

“Mobile is now business critical. Vodafone’s commitment to achieving BS 25999 certification with BSI should be applauded. BS 25999 not only gives Vodafone a competitive edge, but BSI’s certificate allows Vodafone to demonstrate to key stakeholders that robust business continuity management is in place,” said Julian Thrussell, Product Marketing Manager, Risk, BSI Management Systems.

Vodafone UK has now gained the standard for its 3G and 2G networks, further supporting its role as an essential service provider in the event that a state of emergency is declared by the authorities, in accordance with the Civil Contingencies Act.

Continued operations in the event of a business disruption, whether due to a major disaster or a minor incident, are a fundamental requirement for any organisation. Ensuring operational continuity led to the development of Business Continuity Management (BCM) as a business discipline but not until the publication of BS 25999 has there been an internationally recognised management framework that adds consistency, credibility and viability to existing BCM programmes.

BS 25999 is a visionary standard designed to keep your business going during the most challenging and unexpected circumstances. Through the implementation of a Business Continuity Management System (BCMS), BS 25999 provides a basis for understanding, developing, implementing and managing business continuity within an organisation. BS 25999 is an auditable standard which means that through certification by independent third-parties such as BSI, organisation’s have a framework for continual improvement and the ability to demonstrate to stakeholders that their BCM programmes meet international best practice.