Nine out of 10 medium and large companies have a disaster plan to keep their businesses running if their offices became inaccessible, by letting staff work at home.

Research commissioned by Citrix found that 90 per cent of businesses plan to use server-based computing and back-up servers to keep staff working, while three-quarters of those questioned would use web mail. 

"Clear thinking about how to keep the business running, rather than just getting it back on its feet, is the most significant trend our research has identified," said Chris Mayers, principal security architect at Citrix.

"It is very encouraging to see that the UK's larger companies are putting business continuity plans in place, and not just thinking about disaster recovery should disruption occur."

Six out of 10 companies said they would use mobile appliances such as PDAs and BlackBerrys to keep staff working, and almost the same number planned to use desktop-based collaboration tools.

"IT and the board need to work together to ensure that appropriate systems are in place to allow staff to work effectively from home, providing them with appropriate hardware and software to enable access to the resources they need to get on with their jobs," said Mayers.

However, of the 90 per cent of UK companies that had a business continuity plan in place, just under half described the plans as "not completely structured and comprehensive".