At the end of 2021, the Lviv IT Cluster launched the work of the BCP team to support its member companies in the preparation of business continuity plans in connection with the risk of a military invasion of Russia. The team is led by Nestor Shvets, Lviv IT Cluster’s Chief Legal Officer. Currently, the team continues to work in the format of online events called Business Continuity Conference 2.0.
Steps the BCP team has implemented since the beginning of the year:
- Periodic analytical market research on companies’ preparation for various external threats.
- Conferences and webinars aimed at the exchange of experience between Lviv IT Cluster member companies regarding business preparation for various levels of risks, including military action.
- Launch of a separate communication channel, Emergency Chat Lviv IT Cluster, to support communication between community members.
During the winter, we organized several meetings with local authorities, representatives from the banking industry and internet providers within the framework of the Business Continuity Conference. After February 24, the team continued to work in a continuous consultation mode.
In October, following massive attacks on the energy infrastructure of Ukraine, the BCP team resumed online meetings in the format of a closed conference for Lviv IT Cluster member companies. On October 25, two meetings were held as part of the Business Continuity Conference 2.0. Lviv City Mayor Andrii Sadovyi and Head of the Regional Military Administration Maksym Kozytskyi spoke at the online events. They talked about the readiness of various services for emergency and critical situations, power outages, provision of critical infrastructure facilities and businesses with backup power sources, etc.
On October 28, another meeting was held with representatives of the largest internet providers in Lviv. In early November, the Lviv IT Cluster’s BCP team also plans to meet with mobile communication providers. Such meetings help the top management of Lviv IT Cluster member companies to navigate the current situation and manage risks. The format of the meetings also includes a Q&A. Community members get access to video recordings of the meetings and a private Emergency Chat, where they can discuss current issues publicly and contact the Lviv IT Cluster’s team directly.
Shortly, we are planning similar meetings with representatives of other vital industries. Lviv IT Cluster’s cooperation with SpaceX also continues to meet the need for backup internet communication. We are grateful to our member companies, partners and local authorities for their united and prompt response to the tech community’s challenges due to war.