Businesses Consider Mobile Security Services & Cloud A Top Priority For Disaster Planning: AT&T Study

DALLAS, May 23, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation readies itself for the upcoming 2012 Hurricane Season, businesses and organizations have evolved their business continuity and disaster recovery plans to include mobile security services in the effort of protecting their IT infrastructure.

A recent study by AT&T* found that:

• 83 percent of executives indicated that the planning and implementation of a business continuity plan as being a priority for their businesses and organizations – a 12% increase over last year's national survey.
• Six out of ten (60%) invest in mobile security services with the majority (69%) indicating potential security breaches as the most pressing concern.
• 38 percent expressed making investments in cloud computing while another 34 percent expressed investing in mobile applications.
• 86 percent already have a business continuity plan in place in the event of a disaster or threat – up 8% over the past five years.

The results for the latest AT&T annual business continuity study shed light on several trends regarding how businesses are preparing themselves for potential disasters and threats.  AT&T has conducted this study for more than ten consecutive years, surveying IT executives from companies in the United States with at least $25 million in annual revenue to measure the national pulse on business continuity planning.

2012 AT&T Business Continuity Study Key Findings

The complexities of maintaining mobility and wireless capabilities during the event of a disaster or security threat has become an increasing aspect of importance for businesses as they consider business continuity planning.

• 67 percent (two-thirds) of executives surveyed have included wireless network capabilities as part of their business continuity plans.
• 52 percent of IT executives surveyed anticipated the spending for mobile security services to increase.
• Cloud computing is becoming a critical element of Business Continuity plans based on security, performance and cost savings benefits.

Most companies (65%) will be investing in new telecommunications technologies to support their IT infrastructures.

The prevalence of social networking capabilities and mobile networks/devices in the workplace remain a concern for IT executives as they look to minimize the impact of security threats.

• The majority of executives (87%) have become more concerned about the increased use and potential threats of mobile networks and devices than social networking capabilities (76%).
• 88 percent of companies surveyed have taken a proactive approach to securing their IT infrastructure.
• Two-thirds (67%) of IT executives indicate that their business continuity plan accommodates the possibility of a "virtual event" such as a potential security breach.

With business continuity plans in place, businesses and organizations are testing and preparing themselves for potential IT threats and disasters.

• Roughly two-thirds (63%) of companies have had their business continuity plans fully tested in the past year.
• Seven out of ten (71%) companies implement specific protective actions when the state or federal government issues an alert for an impending disaster.
• 87 percent of companies have implemented the necessary arrangements for communicating with key executives during a natural disaster.

"There's certainly no shortage of potential threats or disasters around the world and it's evident that executives are taking the necessary measures to ensure their business continuity plans are in place and actionable," said Chris Costello, assistant vice president, Offer Management, Cloud Services. We've seen a strong emphasis on IT security and continued growth in areas of cloud and mobile applications; implying that companies are embracing the tools and services needed to continue operational activities despite potential threats and disasters."

AT&T offers a wide array of business continuity services, encompassing disaster planning, risk management, recovery preparedness and communications readiness. In addition, services such as business-impact analysis, risk assessments, enterprise hosting, cloud computing and application services, a full continuum of storage solutions, high-availability network solutions and network and IT security solutions can be important components of a company's business continuity plans.

AT&T also conducts several Network Disaster Recovery (NDR) exercises each year through regional and international markets. These events are designed to test, refine and strengthen AT&T's business continuity and disaster recovery services.  By simulating large-scale disasters and network service disruptions, AT&T can apply and hone best practices for rapidly restoring communications.

AT&T has invested more than $600 million in its NDR program, which includes specially trained managers, engineers and technicians from across the United States, as well as a fleet of more than 320 self-contained equipment trailers and support vehicles that house the same equipment and components as an AT&T data-routing or voice-switching center.

For more information on the 2012 AT&T Business Continuity Study, including complete research results, regional findings and year-over-year comparisons, please visit www.att.com/businesscontinuity-news

Study Methodology

The 2012 AT&T Business Continuity Study is based on an online survey of 504 Information Technology (IT) executives in five U.S. metropolitan areas: Austin/San Antonio/Houston, Los Angeles/Orange County, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale/Tampa/Orlando, Ohio and New York City.  The study was conducted by Research Now with companies having total revenues of more than $25 million. Surveys were obtained between February 10 and April 23, 2012.

All survey respondents have primary responsibility for business continuity planning.  Sixty-three percent (63%) represent companies with locations outside of the U.S.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. 

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.