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Big Blue's CPA for Determining Pandemic Preparedness

IBM's Crisis Response Team has unveiled the Contingency Planning Assessment, dubbed a "CPA," that provides an assessment of a businesses core functions including: communications, supply chain, IT, facilities, security, customer support (help desk, call center) and business operations with the goal of helping clients develop action plans to mitigate exposure during a Pandemic. "CPA's" will be offered globally to businesses regardless of size beginning later this month.

IBM's Crisis Response Team is part of its Business Continuity and Recovery Services (BCRS) unit, a battle-tested group with deep relationships at corporations and organizations throught the global economy. As the world focuses on potential pandemic outbreaks, IBM stands ready to assist. Please contact me if you would like to speak to our spokesperson on this matter.

The new IBM service will provide an independent review of an organization’s pandemic response program based on industry best practices, government, World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, and the decades of experience of IBM’s crisis response team in managing actual disaster situations. CPA also helps clients identify gaps and develop action plans to mitigate exposures.

In the event of a pandemic outbreak, businesses may face situations in which many of its employees will be unable to work. According to the US Pandemic Implementation Plan, should a pandemic occur, employers should assume that up to 40 percent of their staff will be absent for periods of two weeks or longer. Multiple waves of infections could last between two and three months.

Among the potential challenges business will face:

Disruption of international and national infrastructures, including travel and transportation restrictions
Government-ordered reduction of people at non-essential places of employment
National authorities could take control of critical supplies and professionals needed for pandemic response activities
Supplies of materials needed for ongoing business may be disrupted, as transportation may be curtailed
Availability of services from partners and sub-contractors may be limited, as they may face the same human resource constraints as other businesses
Demand for services may be impacted as customers adapt behaviors to respond to the pandemic

“Business Risk management is all about preparing for exposure to risk – and a pandemic is like any other major risk,” said Patricia Yim, Managing Director, IBM Singapore. “It is critical for organizations to understand how they could be impacted, to consider different options to keep employees working safely, and to ensure continued connections with suppliers and customers. Any investments made now will only serve to benefit the competitiveness of the business in the future.”

According to the Lowy Institute for International Policy, a pandemic could cost the world between 8% and 12% of economic output – up to USD 4.4 trillion.

CPA will provide an initial assessment of an organization’s pandemic preparedness by reviewing areas such as: pandemic communication and education plans for employees and customers; human resource planning and monitoring; employee impact and mitigation plans; proximity to healthcare facilities; supply chain impact and mitigation plans; government interface plans; linkages to crisis and business continuity plans; business function and location-specific impact; IT, network, security and workplace infrastructure continuity; and resource identification and tracking. Details and Pricing"

Contingency Planning Assessment for Small and Medium Businesses has a range of USD 10,000 to USD 35,000. This offering is a high-level review of the client’s vulnerabilities and assumes less complexity.
Contingency Planning Assessment for Enterprises is priced between USD 50,000 and USD 150,000. This offering allows for greater complexity and multiple sites.


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