R-I-S-K

A comprehensive risk management strategy enables an organization to identify, assess, manage and/or mitigate various risks. It provides a method by which you can prioritize specific risks and determine how to allocate resources. As we all know, there are many types of risk, internal and external, that may impact operations. This week’s articles address ways to deal with these various types of risk.

The combination of risk management and business continuity provides the level of resiliency that most organizations must achieve in light of the uncertainty that exists today. (Item #1)   To mitigate risk --- the possibility that something unpleasant or unwelcome will happen --- it's important for entities to have a thorough risk management strategy in place. (Item #2)   Rules and compliance can mitigate some critical risks but not all of them; active and cost-effective risk management requires managers to think systematically about the multiple categories of risks they face so that they can institute appropriate processes for each.  (Item #3)

"Whistle blowing" has negative connotations in many organizations but, if encouraged by management and handled sensitively, it can be an important tool for business continuity and risk management. (Item #4)   Given the stakes, it makes sense for organizations to try and learn as much as they can about DDoS ransom demands: what do they look like, how can businesses work out if their site is at genuine risk and how can they protect their online presence? (Item #5)   The 10 keys to managing reputation risk and how a company or institution addresses them will help shape the company’s reputation over time. (Item #6)

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Safety and Security in Emergency Situations

Most of us expect our workplaces to be safe and secure, and most of them are. There are some circumstances, however, when unexpected events may not have been sufficiently planned for. Our safety and security is the responsibility of the employer, but all employees also have some responsibility for their own and their co-workers’ safety. This week’s articles discuss a number of issues for which you might need additional planning.

Here’s what to do if an active shooter enters your workplace. (Item #1)   When large crowds gather outside your work environment, individuals inside may be at risk if the event spirals out of control. (Item #2)   Here's what to do before and during a bomb threat. (Item #3)

Do you have a plan for when the power goes out unexpectedly? You should. (Item #4)   The key to a safe workplace is having effective safety and security policies in place and to communicate these policies to all employees. (Item #5)   It’s not necessarily the crisis, but how an organization responds that people will remember. (Item #6) 

Meetings and Events

If your corporate or nonprofit event is coming up soon, and you wake up in a cold sweat hoping the nightmare about a disaster doesn't come true, you're obviously worrying that things could go wrong. And, of course, they can. But the best antidote to worrying is to be as prepared as possible – this issue can help.

Effective event preparedness and planning often starts with identifying the threats and preparing for worst-case scenarios. (Item #1)   See what these event pros have to say about how they avoid disaster. (Item #2)   Being safe and keeping your guests safe while on-site is the number one most important job you have.  (Item #3)

Incidents like the Brussels and Paris terrorist attacks, the shooting in San Bernardino, CA, and the spread of the Zika virus have highlighted the need for meeting planners to review their organizations' risk management plans. (Item #4)  Joan Eisenstodt helps planners imagine the worst -- and shares five steps to making sure they are ready to handle it. (Item #5)   Almost all nonprofits have special events and anything can happen, but it's not necessarily the crisis, but how an organization responds that people will remember. (Item #6)

Identity Theft

Identity theft of businesses, their customers and employees, is becoming more and more common as hackers seem to try to outdo each other. We hope you don't think that this won't happen to you, because you're just as likely to become a victim as any other business. No one is ever prepared for identity theft to happen to them, but now it's possible to do more to protect your business. In this week's articles, here are some things to consider.

Cyber thieves make millions every year by stealing identities -- and businesses aren't immune from the crime. (Item #1)   This article covers the various types of business data breaches, including ways to minimize your risks and -- if a breach has occurred -- how to respond. (Item #2)   Individual identity theft has received a lot of press in recent years, but what about the theft of a business' identity? (Item #3)

If you are a business owner, board member, or other key executive, you probably have greater exposure and risk from identity theft because your personal information, credit, and finances are closely intertwined with your business.  (Item #4)   Businessfirstfamily.com provides a list of the five best identity theft companies for business. (Item #5)   Due to a new IRS ruling, more employers are likely to provide data-breach monitoring and related services to employees. (Item #6)

National Safety Month

National Safety Month, observed annually in June, focuses on reducing injuries and deaths at work, on the roads and in our homes. This is a good time to make sure that you are doing everything possible to keep your employees and your families safe. This issue can help you do that.

Have you done your safety housekeeping at the office? (Item #1)   To help you lead safely at work, here are seven very important thinking points. (Item #2)   This guide, although produced for Australian offices, can help employers and employees take a look at their workplace for safety. (Item #3)

Here are 25 steps you can take to reduce the risk of injury among your office staff. (Item #4)   This fact sheet from nonprofitrisk.org identifies electrical hazards and makes recommendations on how to avoid or fix them.  (Item #5)   Here are the 10 most common safety hazards in the home, along with things you can do to avoid injury and stay out of harm’s way. (Item #6)