The pest control industry is enjoying an economic upswing (Pest control industry continues..., 2005). The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) sponsored research which revealed that 24 percent of all Americans believe that the risks associated with pest infestations have increased over the past few years, 44 percent of Americans see an increased need for professional pest control services, and 72 percent believe that professional pest control services are more effective than do it yourself products (Pest control industry continues..., 2005). The pest control industry was a $6.5 billion industry in the United States in 2005, thus demonstrating its significance and underscoring the need for players in the sector to have business continuity plans in place in the event of a natural or manmade disaster which disrupts business activities or places new strains on limited resources.
Like any other industry, the pest control industry depends on technology for many different functions. Curtis (2005) pointed out that having a backup plan in case computerized data management and communication systems fail is a necessity for any business. Pest control companies maintain databases with client information as well as data regarding costs and expenditures, personnel, suppliers, inventory, and vehicle fleets. A backup system is certainly highly desirable in this industry as is testing it to determine whether or not it can withstand external threats (Laidlaw, Marshall, Woods, Butters, & Manwani, 2004).
Information security, according to Mitts (2005), is certainly one of the most significant elements that must be addressed in a business continuity plan. An information security professional working for the firm either on a full time basis or as a consultant should develop a business continuity and disaster recovery plan (BC/DR). This plan must be tested to determine whether or not the capabilities and documented procedures inclu...