Following the extensive lockdowns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous organisations focused on bouncing back and regaining operational momentum. Employees began returning to their respective office spaces, and productivity levels started to rise once again. With these changes, a sense of normalcy gradually returned to the workplace.
However, one of the leading financial service providers in the UK encountered an unexpected obstacle during this transitional period. Just as their teams prepared to return to the office after more than a year away, severe flooding damaged their head office and caused significant disruption.
Let’s explore how effective business continuity and disaster recovery planning supported their recovery.
The Challenge: Return to Work After COVID
The timing of the situation was quite unfortunate and could not have come at a worse moment.
The staff members were excited to come back to the office. They wanted to reconnect and catch up after working from home for several months. It had been tough in many ways.
Unfortunately, a flood occurred, which rendered the office unusable for the time being.
As a result of the flooding, desks, essential equipment, and various important areas within the office were significantly damaged. This created a risk of more problems for the organisation, especially when stability was most needed.
The Response: Work Area Recovery in Action
Thanks to their continuity plan with CiContinuity, the organisation was able to act fast:
Immediate Access to Work Area Recovery Facilities
A few hours after the flood, CiContinuity acted quickly. They set up a temporary office for employees who lost their workspaces. This office was set up at one of our specially designed recovery sites located in the UK, which are equipped for such emergencies.
The facility had all the needed amenities.
It had comfortable desks for employees to work. There was reliable internet access to keep everyone connected. Phone systems were available for communication. It also had secure access to important systems for employees to do their jobs well.
Secure Connectivity to Core Platforms
Thanks to the robust infrastructure provided by CiContinuity, staff members were able to resume their essential work responsibilities without facing any significant interruptions.
They connected to the organisation’s secure systems. This let them keep using the tools and information they needed for their work. The resilient infrastructure ensured that all core platforms remained available, facilitating a smooth transition during a time of disruption.
Support During an Already Difficult Time
During this tough time, our team worked closely with the organisation’s staff. We aimed to reduce the stress and uncertainty that come from being away from your normal workplace.
This was important because they had already been dealing with the challenges of remote work during the pandemic. Our support aimed to give them stability and comfort. This helped them focus on their work even with the challenges.
Why It Matters
This incident reminds us that continuity planning isn’t just about servers and systems; it’s about people, places, and the ability to adapt quickly. Without work area recovery in place, the organisation’s hard-won post-pandemic progress could have been undone overnight.
Bouncing Back: 4 Lessons in Business Continuity
1. Disruption Can Strike at the Worst Time: Even as the organisation was bouncing back from the pandemic and employees were eager to return, an unexpected flood brought major disruption. This highlights the importance of planning for the unpredictable, particularly during already sensitive transitions.
2. Work Area Recovery Enables Fast Operational Continuity:
Thanks to their pre-existing agreement with CiContinuity, the firm swiftly relocated staff to a recovery site equipped with everything needed to keep operations going. This included desks, phones, internet connectivity, and secure access.3. People-Focused Support Matters:
Beyond infrastructure, the emotional and logistical support provided to employees during the crisis played a vital role. Stability and empathy helped the team regain focus, even after a series of challenges.4. Continuity Planning Is More Than Just IT: This incident reinforced that business continuity is not only about servers and data. It also involves physical workspaces, access to systems, communication tools, and the ability of people to adapt quickly.
Continuity starts here.
Could your team continue working if your offices became suddenly inaccessible?
Take advantage of Business Continuity and Resilience Awareness Week to reflect on how prepared your organisation truly is.
Talk to CiContinuity about work area recovery options tailored to your business.