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BSI British Standards said the threat of terror and natural disaster ought to be a concern to all UK organisations, but questioned how many actually had an effective business continuity management (BCM) system in place.

Its new online assessment tool is based around the first part of British Standard BS 25999 - the business continuity management code of practice. BSI said the tool would allow firms to determine how adequate their existing continuity plans were.

Through a total of 191 multiple choice questions covering each aspect of the British Standard BS 25999-1, it would also help them uncover where they were "doing well" and what improvements could be made, according to BSI.

Responses to questions such as - 'Is the importance and value of business continuity management understood and appreciated at the organisation's highest level?' - have been used to "suggest actions", which are ranked high, medium and low, helping to determine priorities.

As well as assisting in the preparation of a business continuity plan, the online tool should also help businesses assess the capability of companies in their supply chain, said BSI.

Part 2 soon!

Mike Low, director of BSI British Standards, said: "The business continuity assessment tool will help organisations understand how to prepare a business continuity plan in a simple yet effective framework and will give added value to their business by enabling them to demonstrate improved risk management."

He added that the tool was aimed at small, medium and large companies. The current cost, excluding VAT, is £225 for a single user for one year's use, rising to £1,025 for nine users. Organisations seeking a higher number of users are encouraged to contact BSI British Standards directly. A free online demo is also available.

Businesses are currently awaiting the final version of part two BS 25999 from British Standards. A draft version was published in June of this year.

The second part of the standard aims to help organisations demonstrate they can meet a set of business continuity requirements, and therefore prove to others that they have adequate continuity procedures in place.

Part one, published in full last November, is more of a guide - outlining the kind of "best practice" that can help organisations develop and implement a business continuity plan. Part two will take the standard a step further by paving the way for firms to have their business continuity plans and procedures assessed and certified. It is expected to be published soon.