National Preparedness Month

September is National Preparedness Month (NPM) and is a great time to make sure we are prepared for and can respond to all types of emergencies, from natural disasters to terrorist attacks. We have hurricane season coming up soon along with tornados and other storms that can cause flooding and wind damage. Wildfires have been incredibly active this year. Are you prepared for any of these potential disasters coming your way? If not, take action now. This week’s articles can help.

If you haven’t planned any activities for NPM, this document will help you get started. (Item #1)   Here are three ways small businesses can be prepared for the worst and always keep their data secured. (Item #2)   Once disaster strikes, it’s far too late to begin educating your employees... the time to start is now. (Item #3)

Developing an emergency preparedness plan is one of the most important strategic decisions you will make as a small business owner. (Item #4)    You can greatly increase your ability to cope during a natural disaster, terrorist threat, or bio-terrorism event by simply planning ahead. (Item #5)   You may have had drills and exercises to prepare you at work, but what have you done to stay safe at home? (Item #6)


Past issues of the NewsBriefs are available at http://www.attainium.net/newsbriefs/

Business Continuity Planning & Management

When business continuity was a new concept, it seemed enough to plan for terrorist attacks, natural disasters and other local disruptions. Today, in our global economy, disasters don’t have to occur nearby to eventually cause business disruptions. It is especially important, then, to be sure that your plans include the possibility of disruptions anywhere along the supply chain. This week’s articles can provide you with food for thought along these lines.

Here are 10 reasons why a well thought out plan will benefit your business and give you peace of mind. (Item #1)    There are three important elements that too many business continuity plans are missing -- even plans that are well-developed based on traditional good practice. (Item #2)    Is the aim of recovering to a minimum business continuity objective acceptable? (Item #3)

This article describes the basics of BCM and provides a list of resources that you and your organization can use to improve your ability to survive any unexpected and undesirable turn of events. (Item #4)   No one can predict when the next disaster or business disruption will strike; the only certainty is that something untoward will happen, at some time. (Item #5)   In this op ed thought experiment, David Lindstedt looks back from the year 2027 and highlights some pitfalls that the resilience road could lead to. (Item #6) 


Past issues of the NewsBriefs are available at http://www.attainium.net/newsbriefs/

Cyber Issues

The number and complexity of cyber threats continue to increase and so does the risk they pose to organizations. As this week’s quote states, cyber attacks are now viewed as the fifth dimension of warfare; we already have seen hacking by China and Russia on both government and private sector databases. If you haven’t made a plan to deal with cyber threats, now is the time to get started. This week we provide information and tips on cyber security that may help you in your efforts.

As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, Business Continuity/COOP professionals must pay more attention to the security of their organization’s connections. (Item #1)   Cyber security incidents can have business continuity implications and impacts that extend far beyond IT. (Item #2)   Research points to a widening range of technology vulnerabilities and potentially huge losses in value tied to innovation. (Item #3)

A computer network assessment will help you begin a cyber security plan to mitigate the largest risks to your business. (Item #4)   Protecting your company online begins with ensuring your employees are prepared to assist in keeping your computers and networks safe. (Item #5)   How would you know if you were the victim of a denial-of-service attack? (Item #6)



Past issues of the NewsBriefs are available at http://www.attainium.net/newsbriefs/

Getting Management Buy-In

Although business continuity planning is considered by many to be critical, there may be some executives who still don’t see the need and are unwilling to invest money in BCP. If you work in such an organization, this week’s articles may provide you with some helpful information and tactics you need to get buy-in to begin or expand your business continuity plan.

Statistics and scare tactics don’t work on senior management; instead the starting point is ensuring that you have a deep understanding of the business landscape, strategies and risks. (Item #1)   Here are a few tips that can help you in getting internal buy-in for your BC program. (Item #2)   Aside from pulling the plug, here are some strategies for selling DR to the C-Suite. (Item #3)

Continuous commitment by senior management helps in institutionalizing business continuity into organizational culture. (Item #4)   In the absence of an event or other external mandate, how do you keep management engaged and willing to continuously invest in organizational preparedness? (Item #5)   How do you ensure buy-in when by definition top management is, well, at the top? (Item #6)


Past issues of the NewsBriefs are available at http://www.attainium.net/newsbriefs/