More firms are making sure their electronic data is backed up securely away from their main offices in an attempt to ensure they can continue functioning even in event of a disaster, it has been suggested.

According to BSI British Standards, the concern over the Y2K bug spurred businesses towards making sure their mission-critical data is safe from outside influences but easily accessible if needed.

"I think increasingly awareness of keeping your records safe and protected – and being able to draw them back in the event of a disaster – has become much more commonplace," said Sheila Bailey-Wood, director of operations for the UK's national standards body

"Having replicas of your electronic information accessible outside your normal day-to-day business is very important."

This matches the growing interest of firms in disaster recovery options, with BSI British Standards figures showing an improvement over the last two years as now 81 per cent of FTSE 250 companies expect to be able to last up to a week before suffering severe effects from a major disruption.