Business Continuity Planning – Disclosure Statement
Introduction
In this Business Continuity Planning Disclosure Statement, learn how Raymond James works to mitigate risks inherent in unforeseen business interruptions.
With Business Continuity in Mind
Raymond James institutes the best practices developed by industry organizations for creating practical and effective business continuity plans. The firm periodically conducts a Business Impact Analysis (BIA) of business processes. This analysis identifies risks, critical processes, and related dependencies (both technology dependencies and dependencies on other processes).
Armed with this information, each business area prioritizes recovery procedures, since some processes have more urgent restoration requirements than others. Each business area also creates continuity plans that are reviewed by the BCP department to ensure they meet appropriate guidelines and can be properly coordinated with the plans of other business areas.
The firm develops processes with business continuity in mind, embedding needed resources and knowledge into our day-to-day operations.
A Dedicated Team
Raymond James established the Business Continuity Planning (BCP) department, a dedicated team of professionals that oversees the firm’s business continuity management strategy. BCP works closely with business units and the Information Technology department to employ a standardized framework for building, maintaining and testing business continuity plans. Firm plans are created using an all-hazards approach, including baseline requirements and strategies that address incidents of varying scope.
To assess recovery capability, periodic testing is vital; therefore; BCP exercises are conducted multiple times each year. In addition, the firm annually reviews recovery plans to ensure they are compliant with standards and are maintained according to the guidelines established by the BCP department. The BCP designs plans to allow for continued operations of critical business functions, including providing clients with prompt access to their funds and securities.
Leading Incident Management
A Corporate Crisis Management Team (CCMT) comprised of senior management representing key areas of the firm manages incidents that might affect the firm’s associates and clients. The CCMT assesses and direct s the firm’s response to an incident, ensuring the safety and security of all associates and continuity of critical processes.
To diminish risks posed by local and regional disruptions, Raymond James maintains geographically dispersed operational locations as part of its overall BCP strategy. In the event of an emergency at the St. Petersburg international headquarters, off-site locations are staffed to continue production work.
In the event of a disruption, communications occur in several ways. Consistent and timely messages are disseminated to associates, clients, business partners, regulators and the media. Associates can find general information, such as incident updates, office closure announcements, and operating hours on the firm’s internal Web site. In addition, associates are instructed to call the Raymond James’ emergency telephone hotline for similar updates.
About the Technology and Data Recovery Process
Raymond James employs a dual-data-center strategy in which critical client data and systems housed at the St. Petersburg international headquarters are replicated at an alternate location, ensuring accessibility. It is the firm’s goal to recover from an event requiring a processing switch to the alternate site within 12 hours or less. In addition, data retention and backup procedures are in place, including tape backup and offsite storage, offering a tertiary layer of data accessibility should the need arise.
Raymond James Keeps Clients Informed
In the event of a business disruption, clients can obtain information about the status of their accounts and access to their funds and securities by contacting their financial advisors. If their financial advisors are unavailable, clients can contact Client Services at 1-800-647-7378. In addition, clients can find up-to-date information about the operating status of the firm at http://www.raymondjames.com/. For questions or more information about BCP at Raymond James, contact Business Continuity Planning Manager, Rick Gianvito (800)248-8863, ext. 74793.
The Nature of Events: Limitations Disclaimer
Due to the unpredictable nature of events causing significant business disruptions, Raymond James does not guarantee that systems will always be available or recoverable after such events. Also, the firm’s business continuity plans are subject to modification.