Best practices for implementing, testing and using a cloud-based communication system in a disaster situation

Abstract

This paper sets out the basics for approaching the selection and implementation of a cloud-based communication system to support a business continuity programme, including: •consideration for how a cloud-based communication system can enhance a business continuity programme; •descriptions of some of the more popular features of a cloud-based communication system; •options to evaluate when selecting a cloud-based communication system; •considerations for how to design a system to be most effective for an organisation; •best practices for how to conduct the initial load of data to a cloud-based communication system; •best practices for how to conduct an initial validation of the data loaded to a cloud-based communication system; •considerations for how to keep contact information in the cloud-based communication system current and accurate; •best practices for conducting ongoing system testing; •considerations for how to conduct user training; •review of other potential uses of a cloud-based communication system; and •review of other tools and features many cloud-based communication systems may offer.