A Guide to Continuity Planning in the Public Sector
This guide explores a public sector guide to continuity planning as they respond to a crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This can be done in these stages:
- Setting the scene
As this crisis unfolded, the public sector found that its response to the virus was hindered by increased risks, staff shortages, and inadequate equipment and technology. Right now, the public sector is facing:
- Loss of revenue streams
- Challenges posed by outdated legacy systems
- Lack of remote working capabilities
- Greater demand
- Increased restrictions
- Staff safety issues
- Staff shortages
All of which is putting a huge strain on services and threatens their future. Continuity planning keeps the public sector moving during challenges like these.
- Assessing your need
A public sector continuity plan is reliant on the information you provide. It needs to know what services matter most, what people need to provide them, and all other factors surrounding this. A crisis must deliver these 3 things:
- Connectivity: for you, your people, and your citizens.
- Capacity: handle sudden rises in demand or changes in working
- Accessibility: everyone can work with the changes without instruction, disruption, or problems
- Future considerations
Your priority is to help your department and your people through this crisis. Tough times take a toll both financially and personally, and everyone will need time to recover.
The reality is that the current crisis will likely change how the public sector works forever. Making remote working more commonplace, bringing the benefits of digital services to the fore, or change how your services interact with those who use them. But the full impact is yet to be realized.
Cloud systems let your people work anywhere, while automation frees them to focus on what’s important. Removing time-consuming tasks and helping build teams across borders. A fully integrated cloud infrastructure provides:
- A reduced IT burden
- Greater mobility
- Increased scalability
- Transparency & accountability
- Collaborative tools
- Improved user experience
- Real-time reporting
- 360-visibility
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