IT firms 'better at risk assessment'

Firms which have invested in IT technologies and are based more online "tend to be better" than manufacturing businesses in terms of risk assessment, according to experts.

Nick O'Reilly from the Association of Business Recovery Professionals (R3) has claimed that paperless offices generally have a much better risk management process than paper-based offices, as they tend to have more knowledge of security back-up procedures.

"IT and software consultancy based businesses tend to be better," he said.

"They tend to have much more knowledge of security back-up procedures and they can operate from home or from any other setting. They don't have as many physical files or physical papers."

Paperless offices which can take advantage of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) can also work from anywhere, allowing them to continue functioning after a disaster or negative situation which would otherwise compromise productivity.

"As long as you're backing things up, maintaining a paperless office is absolutely a good thing. But you must back things up on a regular basis and keep things off sight," he added.