Information Systems Technology

Business Contingency Plan

More than anything else, the Business Contingency Plan (BCP) is a living document. It requires maintenance as the applications and technologies we deploy increase in sophistication and complexity. Continued changes in the scope and depth of services provided by IST must continually be reflected in the contents of the BCP.

Its design will reduce the confusion that is inevitable with a disaster; and ensure necessary information and materials for recovery will be available. Identifying requirements and documenting roles and responsibilities before the disaster (and its confusion) occurs will provide organizational structure and well-defined teams throughout the recovery effort. Establishing priority of actions and events, in advance, improves decision making processes and supports personnel who are quite possibly fulfilling unfamiliar roles in a challenging environment. Additionally, it identifies anticipated activities for advance knowledge and planning by IST staff and customer departments. This establishes realistic expectations and promotes the teamwork essential to the successful recovery process.

A Business Contingency Plan is a guide to ensure the "Business Continuity" of IST and our customers' automated applications within documented guidelines. The creation of a BCP is, in itself, a preparatory function, and displays preparedness to our staff, our customer departments, and our citizens.

To review or obtain a copy of the Information Systems Technology Business Contingency Plan, contact the Chesterfield County Chief Information Officer at the following address:

Chief Information Officer
Chesterfield County
Information Systems Technology
PO Box 40
Chesterfield, VA 23832