Avalution Consulting Achieves BS 25999 Organizational Certification

CLEVELAND, May 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Avalution Consulting -- a leader in business continuity and IT disaster recovery consulting and software -- announced today the achievement of organizational certification to the British Standards Institution's (BSI) BS 25999 business continuity management standard. Avalution is one of the few small businesses (SMB) and the first business continuity professional services firm in North America to successfully obtain this certification.

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In addition, Avalution becomes the first North American Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider to become BS 25999 certified.  Rob Giffin, Co-founder and Director of Technology for Avalution, adds, "This certification provides comfort to our current customers and is a major point of differentiation for prospective customers.  When Avalution offers a service level commitment for recovery of our software, it is now backed-up by third party validation."

Avalution's decision to pursue certification wasn't a spontaneous one, as the Cleveland-based firm has been a long time proponent of BS 25999. In September of 2007, Avalution and BSI Americas released a co-authored white paper titled How to Deploy BS 25999 (the second edition of which was released in April of 2008). In January of 2008, Avalution was officially recognized as a participant in the BSI Americas Associate Consultant Program (ACP), and, subsequently, assisted the first and third organizations in the US with preparing for and successfully achieving BS 25999 certification. Avalution also released a free, web-based BS 25999 Readiness Self-Assessment tool to allow North American organizations interested in certification to quickly identify how their program compares to the BS 25999-2 Specification.

"We have been an outspoken supporter of this standard since the beginning, so getting certified ourselves seemed like the natural next step," explains Brian Zawada, Co-founder and Director of Consulting for Avalution. "Our goal wasn't only to practice what we preach, but also to give comfort to our clients who expect their business partners to adequately prepare for disruption. Regardless of the type of disaster that occurs, our consulting and software service clients can be confident that our organization will be available and ready to provide continued services and support. BS 25999 certification demonstrates our commitment and readiness."

Zawada went on to explain, "A secondary driver of our certification effort was actually the ongoing discussions and skepticism surrounding the PS-Prep Program. There have been numerous objections voiced by Congress and other stakeholder groups regarding whether or not small businesses have the resources to pursue certification and the value it would provide them. In all honesty, we wanted to prove that it is valuable and possible for a small business -- and, we are the proof."

"BSI is delighted that Avalution has chosen BS 25999 and is committed to minimizing business disruptions and enhancing their resiliency," said Rob Whitcher, Risk Product Manager for BSI. BS 25999 is one of the standards accepted by the Department of Homeland Security's recommended voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program (PS-PREP). "Avalution's decision demonstrates that certification is beneficial to small businesses and their desire to hold themselves to the highest standards," added Whitcher.

Avalution has supported organizations large and small in their efforts to prepare for BS 25999 certification.  If your organization is ready to align or certify with BS 25999, Avalution has the consulting and software solutions to assist you. Contact us today to learn how.

About Avalution

Avalution Consulting is a U.S. based firm that specializes in business continuity, crisis management and IT disaster recovery planning for both the public and private sectors. Avalution is also recognized as a participant in the BSI Americas Associate Consultant Program (ACP). As a certified firm, Avalution assists in preparing organizations for BS 25999 certification as well as assessing readiness for the certification process.

Avalution also offers a completely configurable business continuity software solution based on the simplicity of Microsoft SharePoint 2010. The Planning Portal (TPP) is web-based business continuity software that delivers easy-to-use tools and processes to assist in managing and executing business continuity programs, with solutions to address analysis, planning, awareness generation, exercise planning, notification, and continuous improvement.  TPP offers functionality that aligns to key international standards, including BS 25999 and ISO 31000.  

866.533.0575 | www.avalution.com | www.theplanningportal.com | @Avalution

About BSI

BSI Group is a global independent business services organization which enables businesses, governments and other organizations to increase profits and market access, and to enhance reputation with its standards-based solutions and assurance services. From its origins as the world's first National Standards Body, BSI Group draws upon over 100 years' experience to partner with 66,000 organizations in 147 countries from its 50 offices. Today, through its independence, innovation and integrity, BSI continues to improve the lives of millions by raising standards worldwide. To learn more about BSI Group America Inc., please visit www.bsiamerica.com.

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Brian Zawada

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Robert Giffin

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=96556

SOURCE Avalution Consulting