The backbone of the business [network resilience]

At the end of 1989 the decision was taken to build a new corporate telecommunications network that would be scoped and designed specifically to meet the demanding requirements of the new National Power (formed when the Central Electricity Generating Board in UK was divided up). In parallel to this decision it was determined that an IT Strategy would be set and implemented, driven by business imperatives, rather than historical or technical issues. The author concludes network resilience is not just a consequence of technical design but will reflect a number of other, typically commercial or cultural, factors of considerable potential significance. At all times it must be remembered that while for most businesses telecommunications is not a core activity, it is of key importance and must be managed advertently and well. Further, it is the appropriateness of the total resilience provided to key, sensitive business functions that is of critical importance