Verizon Business Receives Prestigious British Standards Institution Designation for Business Continuity Solutions

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Verizon Business has been recognized by BSI Management Systems as a leading provider of business continuity management services, the only North American-based global communications provider to receive such recognition from the world's leading international standards, testing, registration and certification organization.

BSI Management Systems accepted Verizon Business into its Associate Consultant Program (ACP) for BS 25999, a global standard for business continuity management.  The BSI-ACP designation follows a rigorous and comprehensive review of Verizon Business' business continuity portfolio and supporting processes and procedures.    

[Note:  An audio podcast discussing Verizon Business' portfolio of business continuity services, is available here.]

The BSI-ACP designation reflects Verizon Business' track record of quickly and securely delivering easy-to-deploy, easy-to-use business continuity solutions.  For example, the company used satellites to allow relief agencies and flood victims to connect to Verizon Business' global network in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  Emergency communications were also provided for portable trailers dispatched by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to affected areas, enabling voice and data services in hurricane-impacted locations along the Gulf Coast.

"Recognition by the British Standards Institution underscores our holistic approach to delivering business continuity solutions and professional-service capabilities in this highly crucial area," said Kerry Bailey, vice president of security solutions, Verizon Business.  "Chief information officers consistently rank business continuity as a critical business objective, and BSI-ACP recognition provides important third-party validation of our world-class capabilities and advanced skill sets."

BSI standard BS 25999, created to help companies reduce the risk of business disruptions caused by natural and man-made events, is the world's foremost standard for business continuity management.  Developed in consultation with a broad-based group of world-class experts representing multiple industry sectors and government, the standard establishes fundamental processes and principles that enterprises should employ to help maintain continued operations.

Experts estimate that four in 10 businesses do not have a business continuity plan. Yet, according to technology and market research company Forrester, most enterprises consider it a top business objective.  In Forrester's February 2008 report, "The State of Enterprise IT Security Adoption: 2007," 78 percent of North American- and European-based enterprise decision-makers surveyed reported that development of business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities are either "important" or "very important" to their IT security organization in the next 12 months..

Comprehensive Business Continuity Portfolio Safeguards Businesses 

Verizon Business offers a comprehensive suite of industry-leading global business continuity solutions.  Professional consulting services, designed to assess and address critical recovery challenges, include business impact and risk analyses, network assessments, gap analyses and recovery strategies, as well as plan development, implementation and life-cycle management services.  The company also offers Verizon Notification Services, a fully automated service that enables communication of time-sensitive information to customers, partners, employees and other key stakeholders via a broad range of wireline and wireless devices. 

The Verizon Business portfolio of business continuity services also includes continuity planning software, virtual file-sharing, storage replication and restoration services and a full complement of managed information technology services to help enhance enterprise resilience.

Additionally, Verizon Business offers advanced conferencing, collaboration and contact center capabilities for deployment as part of a comprehensive business continuity plan.  These collaborative tools enable organizations to effectively communicate from virtually anywhere at anytime, helping to increase response time and productivity, and reduce downtime from business-impacting events such as floods, hurricanes, power outages and tornadoes.  For example, the Verizon Business Web Center, a network-based multi-media contact center, enables employees to conduct business from virtually any location at any time with just a computer, high-speed Internet connection and a phone.

Mobile Command Centers Dispatched in Emergencies

Whether an actual disaster strikes or an organization wants to train during a mock scenario, Verizon Business' state-of-the-art mobile command centers are available for deployment so that communications can be maintained in even the most difficult situations.

Each communications vehicle provides comprehensive emergency services, including enabling organizations to rapidly issue identity credentials or smart cards to first responders in crisis situations.  Smart cards help confirm an individual's identity so that only authorized personnel have disaster site access.  The emergency communications vehicle fleet is fully outfitted with wired and wireless Internet protocol phones, high-speed Internet connections and satellite capabilities.

About BSI Management Systems
British Standards Institution (BSI) is the world's leading management systems certification body. Founded in 1901, BSI has certified more than 60,000 locations in nearly 90 countries.  Many 'Global 500' companies have chosen BSI as their preferred ISO 9001:2000, ISO/TS 16949:2002, ISO 14001:2004 or ISO/IEC 27001:2005 certification body.  BSI's certification experience covers virtually every industrial and commercial sector, including automotive, aerospace, chemical and allied processes, IT/software, and service. BSI Management Systems America, Inc. is headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with offices in Toronto, Canada, and Mexico City, Mexico to serve the North American market.  To learn more BSI's truly pioneering organization, visit www.bsiamerica.com.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), operates the world's most connected public IP network and uses its industry-leading global-network capabilities to offer large-business and government customers an unmatched combination of security, reliability and speed.  The company integrates advanced IP communications and information technology (IT) products and services to deliver leading enterprise solutions including managed services, security, mobility, collaboration and professional services.  These solutions power innovation and enable the company's customers to do business better. For more information, visit www.verizonbusiness.com.

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