Assessment of Information Systems Continuity Management at Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (Cbe): Current Practice, Problems, and Way Forward

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Date

2017-12-03

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

Nowadays, financial institutions are becoming highly IT dependent. The IT services can be interrupted by natural or human made disasters such as, Hurricanes, Floods, Fires, Earthquakes, Terrorist, and Cyber-attacks. These kinds of disasters can happen on the information system at any time. Therefore, such kind of disaster can create loss of revenue, damage reputation, and create customer dissatisfaction. In a study by Cummings (2005) revealed that 43% companies having no business continuity plan in place have never reopen, 51% were closed within two years, and only 6% have survived for long-term. Similarly, a study by Snedaker (2007) revealed that 44% of companies whose premises experience a significant fire do not recover at all, because of lack of business continuity in place. Business continuity management is a process of proactively preventing the organization from any disruption events that the organization may encounter and enable the organization to manage before, during and after disaster happen. The aim of this research is to assess and identify the gaps and challenges of business continuity management in Commercial Bank of Ethiopia and recommend management intervention based on best practices and ISO standards. This research is conducted in Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaire, from senior information system professionals and managements. The data is analyzed using statistical software (SPSS). Thirty-seven questionnaires were distributed to head office IS staffs and 33 of them collected and analyzed, with response rate of 89.2%. Seven elements of ISO 22301, business continuity management were investigated at Commercial Bank of Ethiopia The result showed that Commercial Bank of Ethiopia is applying business continuity management in traditional way. The organization is good in some of the best practices and in some areas, there are gaps. Specifically, support, operation, and evaluation activities areas are not addressed well. Finally, it is recommended that Ethiopian banks have to give more attention to their business continuity strategies. By following best practices and integrating international business continuity management standards to their information technology service management in order to survive in the contemporary market.

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Keywords

Business Continuity Planning, IS Continuity Management

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