Client Overview

The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) is a globally recognised professional body that sets the standard for excellence in procurement and supply management. With a complex organisational structure and a presence across multiple continents, maintaining uninterrupted operations is critical to their mission. For a number of years, CIPS has relied on PSP to support their IT strategy and digital infrastructure. One of the key elements of this partnership has been the development and continuous refinement of a comprehensive disaster recovery strategy.

Challenge

CIPS needed a disaster recovery strategy that could ensure business continuity in the face of unexpected events such as system outages, cyber threats, or natural disasters. The global nature of their organisation, combined with the diverse range of digital platforms supporting their operations, required a strategy that not only protected critical data and systems but also provided the flexibility to adapt to various disruptions. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, CIPS faced an unprecedented challenge: rapidly enabling their workforce to transition to remote work while maintaining the security, efficiency and continuity of their operations.

Solution

PSP’s CTO collaborated closely with CIPS’s leadership team to design a bespoke disaster recovery plan tailored to their specific needs. The strategy focused on three key areas: data protection, system redundancy and workforce mobility. We implemented a robust data backup and recovery solution, ensuring that all critical information could be restored quickly in the event of a system failure or data loss. In parallel, we developed a comprehensive redundancy architecture that included cloud-based failover systems to keep essential services online, even if primary systems became unavailable.

Recognising the need for rapid adaptability, our CTO incorporated remote working capabilities into the disaster recovery strategy well before the pandemic. This forward-thinking approach meant that, when COVID-19 disrupted traditional office environments, CIPS was able to transition their global workforce to remote operations almost overnight. PSP’s team provided technical support and guidance, ensuring that all employees had secure access to the necessary systems and tools to perform their roles effectively from any location.

Results

CIPS successfully navigated the COVID-19 pandemic with minimal disruption to their operations, thanks to the proactive disaster recovery strategy developed by PSP. The rapid deployment of remote working capabilities enabled over 300 staff members across the globe to continue their work seamlessly, maintaining high levels of productivity and service delivery. The robust data protection and system redundancy measures ensured that critical systems remained secure and accessible, preventing any significant downtime or data loss during a period of heightened risk.

Conclusion

PSP’s long-standing partnership with CIPS and our in-depth understanding of their organisational needs enabled us to create a disaster recovery strategy that not only safeguarded their operations but also enhanced their resilience in the face of global disruptions. By incorporating remote working capabilities and ensuring comprehensive data and system protection, we helped CIPS maintain business continuity through one of the most challenging periods in recent history. This project underscores the importance of a proactive disaster recovery plan and highlights PSP’s capability to deliver tailored solutions that support business resilience and long-term success.