Purpose

The Interest of Don’t Skip Ltd in developing a strategy that allows it to respond quickly and effectively to a possible contingency and / or disaster situation has prompted this company to implement a Business Continuity Plan. The aim of the Business Continuity Plan is to lay out the preparations and planning that will enable Don’t Skip Ltd to respond effectively to a possible serious incident, from the moment it occurs until the eventual return to normal operations, all while minimising the impact of such an event on the company’s business.

To achieve this, Don’t Skip Ltd is establishing this Business Continuity Policy, which is based on the business’ needs and the understanding of the potential associated risks:

• The primary objective of this Plan is to ensure the Company’s ability to continue or immediately resume performing its critical business functions, which are the functions that support the Company’s mission, while ensuring life-safety and complying with legal requirements, under all circumstances.
• A Business Continuity Management System has been established and its goal, among others, is to develop the principles of the Business Continuity Policy, as well as to set the guidelines to be followed to keep the Don’t Skip Ltd Business Continuity Plan up to date.
• Don’t Skip Ltd’s Management supports the Company’s Business Continuity goals, it understands the risks associated with the failure to ensure the critical activities of the Company, and hereby commits to providing the Business Continuity Committee with necessary resources.
• Don’t Skip Ltd will continuously maintain, update and improve the Business Continuity Plan, and will carry out testing of its Business Continuity Plans, both (i) at least once per year, and (ii) when there are significant changes in the organisational structure, equipment, facilities, processes or business activities. All applicable business areas of the Company will actively participate in the process of maintenance, updating, testing and improvement of the Continuity Plan.
• Don’t Skip Ltd will appoint representatives with due experience to train the Business Critical Area Teams and Support Teams who will participate in such Plans.
• Don’t Skip Ltd will ensure that all participants In the Business Continuity Plans, as well as others who may be Involved in them, are Informed of their responsibilities and the actions they must take, both in normal situation as in the event of a contingency, within the framework of Business Continuity, through regular training, dissemination and testing of the Plans.
• Don’t Skip Ltd Management will internally promote and disseminate the Business Continuity capability within the company culture, and will ensure that Business Continuity requirements are considered in new developments and improvements of the organisation.
• Don’t Skip Ltd will make the Business Continuity Policy available to all workers.

Business Continuity Policy for Don’t Skip Ltd

Effective Date: [01/09/2024]
Review Date: [01/09/2026]
Owner: [Christina Moore]

1. Scope

This policy applies to all employees, contractors, freelancers, and stakeholders involved in the podcast production processes, including pre-production, recording, editing, publishing, and distribution. It covers potential risks such as natural disasters, technical failures, cyber-attacks, and any other events that could disrupt operations.

2. Objectives

• Ensure the safety and well-being of staff and contractors during an incident.
• Maintain the integrity of podcast production schedules.
• Minimise downtime by implementing rapid recovery procedures.
• Protect company assets, including intellectual property and production tools.
• Continue to meet client expectations during and after a disruption.

3. Risk Assessment and Potential Disruptions

The following risks have been identified as potential threats to business continuity:

Technical Failures: Loss of recording equipment, editing software crashes, or server failures.

Cybersecurity Threats: Data breaches, hacking, or malware attacks affecting podcast files, systems, or client data.

Natural Disasters: Floods, fires, or other events impacting the physical office or studio.

Supply Chain Issues: Delays in receiving equipment, software licences, or other essential production resources.

Human Resources: Loss of key staff due to illness, turnover, or other unforeseen absences.

Third-Party Failures: Disruptions from hosting platforms, distribution channels, or client-side issues.

4. Business Continuity Strategies

4.1 Prevention and Preparedness

Backup Systems: Regular backups of all podcast files (raw and edited) must be conducted daily, stored both locally and in the cloud.

Equipment Redundancy: Maintain backup recording and editing equipment to be used in case of hardware failure.

Cybersecurity: Ensure robust firewalls, antivirus software, and secure password protocols are in place. Regular security audits must be conducted.

Team Cross-Training: Key personnel must be cross-trained to perform essential production tasks to ensure smooth operations in case of staff unavailability.

4.2 Emergency Response

Incident Response Team: Establish an emergency response team responsible for assessing and addressing any disruptions.

Communication Plan: During a disruption, internal and external communications must be clear and timely. Staff and clients should be informed of any delays or changes in production schedules.

Alternative Workspaces: If the primary studio is unavailable, designated remote working options or secondary studio spaces will be utilised.

4.3 Recovery and Resumption

Priority Operations: Production of time-sensitive podcasts (e.g., news, events) should take precedence. Other production schedules may be adjusted as necessary.

Restoration of IT Systems: IT support should focus on restoring systems and software required for editing and publishing as quickly as possible.

Client Communication: Regular updates will be sent to clients, ensuring transparency and clear expectations regarding revised timelines.

Post-Incident Review: After any disruption, a full review will be conducted to assess response effectiveness and improve future preparedness.

5. Roles and Responsibilities

Senior Management: Oversee the development and implementation of the Business Continuity Plan. Ensure resources are available for adequate risk management.

IT Department: Responsible for data security, system backups, and recovery of IT infrastructure.

Production Team Leads: Ensure team members are trained on emergency procedures and that production schedules can be adjusted swiftly.

All Employees: Must familiarise themselves with this policy, participate in training, and adhere to continuity protocols during disruptions.

6. Communication

All employees will be regularly updated on any changes to this policy and trained on business continuity procedures. In case of an incident, communication channels such as email, phone, and messaging apps will be utilised for real-time updates.

7. Policy Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed annually or after any significant disruption to ensure it remains relevant and effective. Any changes will be communicated to all staff and stakeholders promptly.

Approved by:
[Christina Moore, Founder and Managing Director]
[01/09/2024]