BBC Report Highlights Urgent Need for Business Continuity Planning

The BBC has reported on growing government concern over the UK’s preparedness for large-scale cyber-attacks that could shut down critical systems and disrupt essential services. 

The report explores how both government agencies and businesses are being urged to prepare for a “total blackout” scenario, where computers freeze, data becomes inaccessible, and operations grind to a halt.

The government has written to chief executives across the UK recommending that business continuity plans be kept in physical  form, as a safeguard against losing access to digital systems during an attack.

Rising Threats Identified by the NCSC

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has reported a sharp rise in nationally significant cyber incidents this year, with 204 recorded so far compared with 89 during the same period last year. These include attacks that halted operations at major UK organisations such as Marks & Spencer, The Co-op, and Jaguar Land Rover.

The NCSC is urging organisations to strengthen resilience by looking beyond technical cyber-security controls. Its latest findings highlight the growing importance of building systems that can continue operating and recover quickly, even if digital defences are breached.

This renewed emphasis reinforces the reality that prevention alone is not enough. Even with strong defences in place, organisations need to plan for what happens after an attack succeeds.

When the Screens Go Blank

The BBC’s article highlights a growing concern for UK organisations: what happens when a cyber-attack completely shuts down essential systems and operations? The report examined how government agencies and businesses are preparing for a “total blackout” scenario, where computers freeze, data become inaccessible, and digital processes come to a halt.

This is no longer a distant risk. Cyber threats are increasing in both frequency and sophistication. Criminal groups and state-linked attackers are now capable of infiltrating critical systems and waiting silently until the moment they strike. In some cases, even backup systems are compromised before anyone realises.

The BBC article paints a clear picture of what such an attack could look like: screens that fail to load, servers locked behind ransomware, and staff unable to access the most basic tools. In those moments, prevention alone is not enough. The focus shifts from defence to resilience, and from technology to business survival.

Lessons for Organisations

At AJC, we see this as a timely reminder that every organisation, regardless of size, needs a tested business continuity plan. Here are the key elements that make the difference between recovery and chaos.

1. Look Beyond Prevention
Technical defences are essential, but no system is completely secure. Planning for failure turns a crisis into a controlled response rather than a catastrophe.

2. Identify Critical Functions
Determine which activities must continue even during an outage, such as customer service, finance, or communications, and prioritise resources to protect them first.

3. Set Clear Recovery Targets
Establish how quickly systems must be restored and how much data loss is acceptable. These decisions shape your backup and disaster recovery strategy.

4. Prepare Manual Alternatives
If digital systems fail, can your team work offline? Create simple, temporary methods to keep operations running until systems are restored.

5. Communicate Effectively
During a crisis, silence breeds uncertainty. Have clear communication plans for customers, staff, and regulators. Transparency helps maintain trust.

6. Define Roles and Responsibilities
Everyone should know who has the authority to make decisions and activate contingency measures. A clear command structure saves time when it matters most.

7. Review Your Supply Chain
Many attacks spread through third parties. Ensure your suppliers and partners have their own resilience plans in place.

8. Test Regularly
A plan that is never rehearsed will not work in practice. Run simulations and learn from each one to strengthen your response.

The Importance of Business Continuity

The BBC’s warning should prompt every organisation to ask: if our systems failed tomorrow, how would we continue to operate?

Business continuity planning is not only about technology. It is about protecting people, reputation, and trust.

At AJC, we help organisations develop and test resilience frameworks that ensure operations can continue, even when the unexpected happens. The companies that survive disruption are not the ones with the most advanced software, but the ones that have planned, practised, and prepared for when the lights go out.

Contact us on 020 7101 4861 or email us at info@ajollyconsulting.co.uk if you think we can help.

Sources:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ced61xv967lo