Businesses ignore terror threat

Too many businesses are ill-prepared for the possibility of a terrorist attack, according to an NOP poll for the Institute of Directors.

The survey of 500 IoD members shows that 49% of businesses have no contingency plans to help them cope with a terrorist attack and 23% spend virtually nothing on security.

Some 72% of directors allocate something to security, with the majority spending between 1-5% of turnover.

Richard Wilson, the IoD’s head of business policy, said terrorism posed a threat to employees, customers and the viability of many businesses.

He added: “All firms should draw up business continuity plans, test them regularly and train staff to act upon them.”

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Only one in five IoD members have increased expenditure on security since 11 September 2001, according to the survey.

Just 69% routinely check the references and documentation of staff and contractors when recruiting and hiring.