Mass Notification Systems

Mass notification systems (MNS) have become more of a necessity in recent years and should be a part of every business continuity plan. But do you know what you need? How to plan for such a system? If not, this issue could help shed light on this process.

Here is some information on the different types of systems and applications. (Item #1) There are several key steps in planning a mass notification system, described here. (Item #2) Have you included social networks as a channel in your MNS? (Item #3)

Why is redundancy key in an MNS? (Item #4) It is important that you understand the mass notification/emergency communication codes, planning process and available technologies. (Item #5) This information about the new MNS code could be very helpful. (Item #6)

Atlantic Hurricane Season

National Hurricane Preparedness Week 2013 begins May 26th and runs through June 1st. Hurricane hazards take many forms, among them heavy rainfall, high wind, storm surge, shore and inland flooding, tornadoes, and more. The National Weather Service is responsible for protecting life and property by issuing timely watches and warnings, but you have to be ready before a storm approaches. This issue offers readiness help.

Here is what to expect from the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season. (Item #1) Are you prepared for the unique HR challenges that result from hurricanes? (Item #2) Are you aware of which if any employment laws come into play when disaster hits? (Item #3)

This brief guide to responding to hurricanes will be helpful in your preparedness planning. (Item #4) This article contains preparedness tips for homes and businesses. (Item #5) What will you do if your office is not available for employees to work from? (Item #6)

Business Continuity Planning

The quote this week reminds us that no matter how much we plan, update, train and test, we will never be done. Most of us know this and are aware that a plan is a dynamic thing... and it only works if it keeps up with changes in the organization and the physical, political, and business environments. We hope that this issue will help you take a new look at your plan and get busy on that all-important updating.

Two companies took different paths; that made all the difference. (Item #1) Here are a few reasons why business continuity plans fail, and how to avoid them. (Item #2) Despite the close attention paid to the details of methodologies and best practices, business continuity plans often are not as successful as they should be. (Item #3)

Here is a business continuity planning checklist that will keep you on track. (Item #4) In a disaster, few people care about the definition of terms, but one sure way to get through the chaos of losing data and facilities is to know the difference between recovery and continuity. (Item #5) This guide will help you to identify potential risks, make preparations for emergencies and test how your business is likely to cope in a disaster. (Item #6)

Employee Issues

Employee Issues

The hiring, firing and retention of employees often can be a minefield of potential problems and liability issues, and it can be difficult to get through these processes without a few explosions. Your best protection against these issues is knowledge of the potential problems and how to avoid them. This issue focuses on several areas of risk and offer insight and expertise on how to avoid them.

There are steps employers can take to help mitigate the risk, or at least help create a defense, if a former or current employee should bring an EPL lawsuit. (Item #1) Potential legal risks are lurking right around the corner when employers make a hiring decision based on information on a social networking website. (Item #2) Employees play an important role in network security; here are five ways you can educate your employees about it. (Item #3)

Is workplace bullying the next big employer liability issue? (Item #4) What is the impact of workplace bullying on your business or department? (Item #5) Based on their experience and observations, experts have observed, over and over, the 10 security gaps identified here and provide advice for addressing them. (Item #6)

Testing, Training & Evaluation of Your Business Continuity Plan

You will never know if your BC plan is really complete and can get the job done, you have to exercise it. Completing the writing/development of the plan is not the finish line; it is really just the start of the process of ensuring the plan will work. This issues focus is on conducting tests and exercises to help ensure you can count on the plan when needed.

Just because it seems to work on paper, who knows if it will work in practice? (Item #1) How do you know how much testing is enough? (Item #2) We will say it again – you do not want to find out the flaws in the plan on the day of the disaster. (Item #3)

The best plan will not work if staff is not aware of their roles and have practiced them. (Item #4) You can increase the value and decrease the cost of effective exercises. (Item #5) Have you considered an audit of your BC plan? (Item #6)