My Company's Continuity plan

Continuity Plan

Risk Assessment 

Possible Risks:

Severe Weather/Flooding/Wildfires

• All electronic records are backed up in multiple locations on the web.
• Any paper records are in movable file storage and ready to go. These records are copies of older clients' records and are not required to be held but for the convenience of current and previous clients.
• Should Cetera Financial Specialists (CFS) be compromised in some fashion, their continuity plan link is available at the bottom of this document.

Cyber Attacks

• There are no other individuals that can access the electronic data files, which limits the number of possible hack attempts through various email and internet means. All the data is backed up online in secure servers. The data can be reproduced on replacement equipment.

 See CFS plans below.

 Personal Health Issues

 The data in my files is accessible via passwords that my significant other (of over 25 years) can access in the agreed-upon secure location. In the case of my demise or other mental incapacities, she can access the data to allow another preparer to complete my work. I only keep copies of clients' data, so there should be no issue with the original documents not being available.

Possible Impact of the Above Risks

Loss of Data Access

• I have two sources of internet access year-round because of its crucial nature for my remote access.
• Loss of client communication.
• Loss of Cellular and Cable Internet Access

Between the two sources of communication, both of them would rarely be down for the whole region. If it is down locally because of the destruction of my office, I should be able to travel to a nearby location that can provide it via a mobile hotspot.

Loss of Software to Access and Process Data

• I have no software that cannot be downloaded and loaded from the internet on a replacement computer easily.

Loss of Physical Office Space to Perform Work

• There are offices for rent in neighboring communities where I can work from, and if necessary, I can work from almost anywhere.

Loss of Access to Banks and Financial Institutions

• All the banks are national, and remote access is well known over the internet. They have continuity plans of their own.

Loss of Computers and Physical Materials Used to Produce Tax Documents

•  I use national suppliers, and the software I use is not so resource-intensive that I could not find a replacement computer that runs it rather easily. Printers are available at local supply stores.

Business Impact Analysis

Critical Functions:

• Client communications.
• Meeting tax deadlines.

Dependencies:

• Software.
• Internet access.
• Client data.

Emergency Response Plan

Contact Information:

List of emergency contacts:

In case of an emergency, call 310-435-4354.

Clients' contact information:

My client database is backed up, and the essential information is on my cellular phone, and both have backups.

Vendors' contact information:

In general, all my suppliers/vendors are listed on my computer and my cell phone, and both have backups.

Service providers' contact information:

In general, all my suppliers/vendors are listed on my computer and my cell phone, and both have backups.

Communication Plan:

•  · Preliminarily, in the case of an emergency, I will reach out to each of you via email.
• · Once things settle down, I expect to speak to each of client personally. The Calendly.com link in my email signature block should make scheduling that time easy.

 Data Backup and Recovery
Regular Backups:

• All data on my systems are backed up in the cloud on a daily basis.
  
• Monthly complete hard drive images are created so that the main drive can be restored quickly as of the beginning of the month.

 Recovery Procedures:

The images mentioned above can be used to restore a replacement drive rather quickly.

Hard drives can be delivered from the online backup vendor via one-day delivery.

Alternative Work Arrangements:
Remote Work Setup and Temporary Office Space:

• I intend on working wherever is necessary.
• Office space is available at the Ledger building in nearby Bentonville, AR.

 Financial Contingency Plan:
Emergency Funds:

•  · Because of my low overhead and my ability to work from my living space, I have more than enough money saved to weather any dire emergency.
  

Insurance:

• I have office insurance to rebuild/repair as necessary.

Training and Testing:
Plan Testing:

• I regularly work from other locations (like when on vacation), and my mobile hotspot provides secure data transfer.

Reviews and Updates:
Regular Reviews:

• This plan is reviewed annually.

 CFS's Continuity Plan:

 · You can find it here: https://cdn.adviceworks.net/content/images/2024-07/30049850.pdf?VersionId=dxhG9r4M0B4bN5bKHlqoaB8KdgCUBVxx