Let's hope another terrorist attack in London is not going to happen - but let's assume that the possibility of one exists. Let's also consider the hurricanes that have hit the USA this year and consider that although nature tends to be pretty benign over here, the flood barriers on the Thames could conceivably burst.
Clearly, businesses need to test their resillience in the event of a disaster, natural or artificial. This is why the Financial Services Authority will, in December, stage a disaster so that 80 firms in the City can check just how effective their contingency plans are likely to be.
It's more difficult if you're a smaller concern. There isn't the same sort of governing body and there's no recognised district in which smaller companies are likely to operate (and yes, of course there are financial institutions outside the Square Mile, but it at least offers a decent starting point). Nevertheless, testing contingency plans remains a good idea - even if the thought of it serves only to remind you that it's time you developed a plan in the first place.
