Corporate events are a key opportunity to network employees and build engagement, which ultimately lead to a boost to your profits. This is highlighted by Forbes, who found that employee engagement can boost profit by 22% in certain cases. Managing a live event is a continuity minefield, however. When bringing people together into a modern, technology-driven event, there are practical physical and digital considerations to be made to ensure safety and data security. Relying on established business continuity leaders is a great first step, but the somewhat chaotic nature of events management changes that. A little more planning is required.
Maintaining physical security
A live event brings security away from the digital world and into the physical. While the likes of digital ticketing, background checks and secure communications have reduced the amount of uninvited visitors, maintaining security at a corporate event is still important as large groups of people are gathered. Continuity advisors can adapt by looking at the distinct features of the meet. What level of attendance is expected, and what business security levels? Will there be alcohol, and if so, how can you prepare? What liaison do the event facility provide to guarantee safety? Physical security cannot be underestimated, especially in an event where business data is being used, as HIPAA violation statistics show; physical security breaches caused the exposure of 10,000,000 records in 2017.
Open data and cybersecurity
Corporate events are increasingly using new technology to encourage fully integrated, digital-first events, in which participation is conducted through handheld devices. Cloud utilization is seized upon, and the result is an ever increasing level of risk of data leaks and security risks. When planning and managing continuity in this respect, consider the capabilities you require to ensure any errors are quickly dealt with. A central system enabling the pause of any participation apps is recommended, as is a closed network that can be quickly shut off from local providers.
Catering to business as usual
As employees from all sites are drawn away from the business to commute to corporate events, your continuity events in office can be affected. Ensure that you have continuity managers available at both ends and that you have amended, if not heightened schemes, in place. This will enable you to effectively deal with the lower headcount and potential lesser ability to deal with issues arising from business as usual work.
A corporate event receives a huge amount of planning to deliver cost effectiveness to the business and be a reasonable proposition to staff. However, business continuity can fall by the wayside as the focus is brought on corporate benefits. Planning is straightforward, but requires detail, and should be inclusive of work ‘back home.’
