RISK

As a result of the 2008 financial crisis and the following worldwide economic difficulties, companies are facing risks that are increasingly unpredictable and challenging. And it’s not just the traditional financial risks that are under scrutiny - so are strategic risk, reputational risk, operational risk, technology risk, and more. This week’s articles may help you reconsider whether you’re managing risk to the greatest degree possible.

The shift to continuity risk management is one that companies and practitioners can ill afford to deny or ignore. (Item #1) Records management can offer protection from many risks. (Item #2) Reduce exposure to loss by managing risk. (Item #3)

In today’s highly connected environment, reputational damage can spread at lightning speed. (Item #4) Risk-based auditing should truly reflect the realities of the risk environment. (Item #5) Businesses consider HCR as having the fourth most significant impact of 11 risks surveyed. (Item #6)

Payroll Continuity

Since payroll is a mission-critical activity, you have to ensure that there is no interruption in it even during a crisis or disaster. Is payroll continuity part of your business continuity plan? If not, it should be. This week's articles provide information on what to do and how. We want to thank Cori Friedrich of Citizens Equity First Credit Union for suggesting this topic.

SHRM takes a look at pay and benefit issues in a disaster. (Item #1) Payroll should be high on the list of preparedness and continuity planning for a small business owner. (Item #2) In a disaster, an employee's need to access their pay is greater than ever. (Item #3)

Issuing employee paychecks on time and accurately are two of the most important tasks a business must handle regularly; are you prepared to do so in a disaster? (Item #4) To pay employees, the company must back up its payroll software and data before disaster takes down the computer system or renders it inaccessible. (Item #5) Employees can't volunteer to work without pay; if the duties they perform benefit the company and are regularly performed by employees, the duties are work and require compensation. (Item #6)

Flu and Business Continuity Concerns

With at least two states already declaring states of emergency due to flu, it's important that you do everything you can to prepare your organization and your employees. While no one is suggesting a pandemic at this point, the fact that the flu has hit so hard and so early means we need to take steps to help keep businesses open if things get worse. This week's articles should help you decide what you need to do... or, if you've a plan already, what else you need to do. Stay healthy!

Take a look at CNN's update on flu conditions across the country. (Item #1) Although we're dealing with a flu epidemic rather than pandemic, there are some good tips in this paper that make sense now. (Item #2) The SBA offers seven steps to take in this flu season. (Item #3)

Educate your employees about the flu… and how to avoid spreading it. (Item #4) Use resources provided by the CDC to help get through the flu season. (Item #5)   Learn how to avoid letting flu season interfere with your business.   (Item #6)

Top Business Continuity Trends for 2013

It is said that knowledge is power, and that certainly is true when it comes to keeping on top of trends that can affect your business continuity/disaster recovery preparedness. The experts offering us tips and information this week make us aware of and make it possible for us to prepare for the emerging risks and trends during the coming year.

Here are some changes that BC professionals see coming in 2013. (Item #1) Cyber attacks on financial services firms have been on the rise. (Item #2) Eleven EMC executives offer their predictions of which technologies and trends will transform cloud computing, Big Data and IT security the most in 2013. (Item #3)

A seasoned risk management professional offers his top picks for emerging crisis issues and high impact risks in 2013. (Item #4) What's in store for 2013? IT professionals need to be prepared. (Item #5) Here are four trends you need to be aware of in 2013. (Item #6)

Lessons Learned from Recent Disasters

As we enter 2013, it’s a good time to review your business continuity plans and consider whether you’re doing everything you can to recover from a disaster. This week’s articles look at lessons that have been learned from disasters, especially Hurricane Sandy. Make sure you can survive a disaster by checking out this week’s tips to see if you have to make any revisions to your plans.

Storms like Hurricane Sandy emphasize how important it is to be prepared for anything. (Item #1) One of the most important things is the ability to communicate during a disaster; could you? (Item #2) Joplin’s 2011 tornado taught a lot of important lessons. (Item #3)

People who have lived through natural disasters have a lot to teach us. (Item #4) If social media is part of your BC plan, make sure you know what you’re doing. (Item #5) More lessons from Katrina – we’re still learning. (Item #6)