What are the basic assumptions used by your organization in devising a pandemic preparedness plan and ensuring service delivery to your customers?
In the event of a pandemic the business disruption occurs over a longer period of time with waves of absenteeism occurring over a 6-18 month period as per the guidelines provided by the World Health Organization. The plan’s goal is to maintain 100 per cent of critical operation activities during a pandemic.
Have you identified essential activities and services to be maintained during a pandemic?
Yes.
Are the services stipulated in the contract with each financial institution included in your service delivery activities?
Yes.
Do you expect any changes to service delivery during a pandemic?
No, the goal of our pandemic planning is to maintain 100 per cent of critical operation activities during a pandemic.
Will you change how you communicate with your participants during a pandemic?
No. CDS has multiple media solutions available for communicating with participants and customers.
Describe how your organization has been preparing for the impact of a pandemic on your business.
CDS has identified essential employees and functions needed to maintain business operations. These functions are performed in five geographically separate locations. As well, cross-training programs and succession plans and capabilities with multiple authority levels are in place should essential staff be unable to work.
To maintain its business processes and ensure a seamless flow during a pandemic, does your organization rely on the critical operations of another organization?
Yes, CDS regularly tests connectivity with critical organizations.
Please provide a status on your efforts to develop business continuity plans to deal with flu pandemic.
CDS has comprehensive plans in place to accommodate many different scenarios, including flu pandemic.
What preventative measures does CDS have in place?
CDS has developed preventative measures to reduce the risk of infection to employees and to stop or slow the spread of infection. CDS has the ability to segregate floors and departments, and can restrict access to its building to facilitate screening of staff and visitors before entering its premises.
Key staff may also be asked to work at the recovery site, reducing the risk of contagion by separating employees to ensure that if infection occurs it is relatively contained.
See also the overview on business continuity management at CDS and frequently asked questions about CDS’s business continuity management program. |