Risk and Business Continuity

How much effort does your organization put into risk management? Is it a prominent part of your business continuity plan? Does the BC team spend time identifying and attempting to mitigate risk? We hope your answers to these questions falls into the “lots of effort” and “yes we do” categories. If they don’t, it’s probably time to sit down and do some work in these areas. Even if you gave the right answers, have you yet thought about what new risks might turn up in 2015? We’d like to suggest that you schedule some time this week or next to consider the risks your organization might face and what you might do about them. You’ll probably be glad you did!

If you don’t think risk management is important for your organization, take a look at some of the many occurrences you could run into at any time. (Item #1)   Risk management has become more important today with most organizations requiring quicker recovery times than in the past. (Item #2) Spreadsheets should be banned from the risk management process. (Item #3)

This guide explains the methodologies behind risk management and where HR should make a contribution in planning and executing the resulting plans. (Item #4)   Here are some predictions for the biggest potential reputation-related crises for 2015; like all crises these days, they will play out online. (Item #5)   How do your employees add risk to IT and your business? (Item #6)


Get past issues of the NewsBriefs at http://www.attainium.net/newsbriefs/

Insider Threats to Business Continuity

What do you think of when you hear the term "insider threats?" Snowden? WikiLeaks? Do you just know it can’t happen in your organization? Well, you may be right about those scenarios, but there are many types of insider threats that can happen to you. If you aren't already discussing what to do about insider threats, you may be missing the boat. Insider threats are yet one more aspect of business continuity that we have to take seriously and figure out how the organization can best work to mitigate the risk of these threats and what resources it’s going to take to do so. Perhaps you and your team can find 30 minutes this week to begin this discussion... or at least see if this week’s information can shed light on the subject.

Organizations still aren't taking the risk of insider threats seriously. (Item #1)   In order to be truly effective, insider threat management programs need to involve a broad understanding of the various types of attackers and motivations attached to insider threats. (Item #2)   insiders can pose a threat to more than just an organization’s data. (Item #3)

The threat of attack from insiders is real and substantial. (Item #4)   Are you spending enough on insider threat protection? (Item #5)   CERT provides some tips on winning the battle against insider threats. (Item #6)


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

The Flu and Business Continuity

As reported in the news, the flu this year got an early start and the season isn't half over yet. According to the CDC, the flu costs the United States more than $87 billion annually and is responsible for the loss of close to 17 million workdays each flu season. What can you do to mitigate the impact of the flu on your organization? The information below from the CDC and other experts provides guidance. After looking over these items, sit down with your BC team or senior execs and determine what steps you need to initiate in your workplace.

The CDC's BusinessPulse offers information on how to protect your employees' health and your profitability. (Item #1)   What are you doing to educate and protect your workforce? (Item #2)   All employers can implement a combination of controls to protect workers and reduce the transmission of the seasonal flu virus in the workplace. (Item #3)

If you're thinking of hosting an in-house vaccination clinic, check out this site. (Item #4)   Compared to recent years, this flu season is looking bad. (Item #5)   Should you mandate flu vaccines? (Item #6)


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

Business Continuity Challenges in 2015

According to the experts, cybersecurity will be one of the top threats to business continuity in 2015, with cyber criminals deploying new tools to create havoc in our business lives. After you look through this week's articles, perhaps it would be a good idea to sit down with your BC team and think about possible new risks to your organization this year - and brainstorm about how to mitigate them.

McAfee Labs' predictions for cybersecurity threats are sobering. (Item #1)   The BCI reveals that IT-related threats are a major concern. (Item #2)   As hackers become more proficient, security threats grow in complexity and scope. Watch this video discussion or read the information at the included link. (Item #3)

The relationship of IT to business objectives is critical to successful business continuity.  (Item #4)   There are some small steps you can take to make your business more secure. (Item #5)   Take a look at these key risk areas for 2015 and think about how they might affect your organization. (Item #6)


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