Trends and Threats in 2019

December 19, 2018 - As we head to the end of 2018, it's time to look forward to what 2019 will bring. These articles focus on the trends and challenges to expect in the coming year and what you should be doing to prepare for them. Take a look to see if your plans will cover your business as things change.

Disaster tends to strike when you least expect it and a data breach, ransomware attack or even a phishing scam all have the potential to completely derail your business.  (Item #1)   As 2018 comes to a close, here's a look at what experts believe 2019 likely has in store in terms of the threats to – and the evolution of – business continuity and disaster recovery. (Item #2)   Here are the top 10 cybersecurity trends and recommendations for the New Year. (Item #3)

Four critical risk themes emerge as internal audit teams prepare for 2019, and data issues loom large. (Item #4)   The way professionals travel for business is constantly changing, and 2019 will be no exception. (Item #5)   Global spending on cloud services and infrastructure is on the rise and expected to reach $160B by the end of this year; that number will continue to rise to $277B by 2021. (Item #6)


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Holiday Safety at Home and Work

December 12, 2018 - The holiday season is here and decorating, shopping, cooking, entertaining, eating and other holiday doings are on our to-do lists. We get so busy that we sometimes rush right by some of the important safety concerns of the holidays -- accidents, fires, stress, and other things. These articles are aimed at helping you ensure your safety and those of your family, friends, and co-workers so everyone can have happy holidays.

Remember to consider safety when decorating in the office and celebrating on the job. (Item #1)   There are steps you can take to reduce the risks of death and injury from a home fire this holiday season (Item #2)   To keep your "fa-la-la-la las" from falling flat, here are some important crime prevention tips to remember. (Item #3)

Here are some safety concerns to consider during this holiday season. (Item #4)   Here's how to avoid some of the pitfalls of the season. (Item #5)   Here are some tips to beat the holiday blues. (Item #6)

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Planning for Winter Weather

December 5, 2018 - With winter on the way (and, in some cases, already hitting hard), we should definitely be reviewing our plans to keep things running if the worst weather strikes. What if employees can't get to work? What if your building has no power or is flooded? Do you know what your winter weather risks are? This week's articles could help refine your plans for the weather ahead.

When snow, ice or other weather threatens to keep people off the roads this winter, telecommuting could help keep your business running. (Item #1)   Old ways of protecting data centers against winter weather are no longer adequate in today's always-on business world. (Item #2)   Here are the steps you can take now to prepare for extreme winter weather and mitigate the risks for your small business. (Item #3)

Here's how to get ahead of storms with planning and teamwork. (Item #4)   What's your liability if an employee is injured on the way to work in a snowstorm? (Item #5)   We can hope this winter won't bring 100 inches of snow, but here are some lessons from Boston when that happened in 2015. (Item #6)


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It's Flu Season - What are you doing about it?

November 28, 2018 - After last year's terrible flu season, many of us are concerned about what the 2018-2019 flu season will bring. Experts pretty much agree that it's impossible to predict what this year's flu season will be like. While flu vaccines have been improved, flu germs are constantly changing so there are no guarantees. For this reason, there are a number of things you can do in the workplace that can help prevent the spread of flu. These articles will provide some guidance.

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) provides guidance for keeping employees healthy in order to successfully get through the flu season. (Item #1)  Flu season 2018 is already starting to take lives. Are you protected? (Item #2)  So if we don't plan and prepare adequately for the non-IT types of problems, we are leaving ourselves vulnerable to many problems that are not all that rare. (Item #3) 

All employers can implement a combination of controls to protect workers and reduce the transmission of the seasonal flu virus in the workplace. (Item #4)  This emergency preparedness outline will serve as an excellent roadmap for managing an epidemic in your work environment. (Item #5)  There is a wide range of cleaning products available that can help control workplace flu germs; companies should be aware of the differences in these products and how they perform against flu germs. (Item #6)


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The Holidays: To Party or Not to Party?

November 14, 2018 - The holidays are creeping up on us, and it's time (or maybe past time) to consider the holiday party. Should you have one? What kind? Are there other options to show your gratitude to your employees than by having a drunken bash? If you have one, how can you keep it under control? These articles address these questions and offer some ideas on how to have a great party or what to do instead. Happy Holidays!

Following these tips should help ensure that employees not only remember your holiday party, but remember it for all the right reasons. (Item #1)   In short, while company parties can be genuine fun, there are minefields to navigate here. (Item #2)   If your company wants to continue its holiday office party tradition, you need to think in advance about how to manage holiday parties to avoid potential hazards. (Item #3)

The holidays are a time to celebrate, but we need to be careful because any misdeeds (perceived or otherwise) can be quickly cataloged online -- and cause lasting reputational damage. (Item #4)   Here are 76 ideas to take your company holiday party to the next level.  (Item #5)   Here are some ways you can reward employees at the holidays without having a party.  (Item #6)


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After the Disaster... What Now?

November 7, 2018 - We've seen lots of natural disasters recently, and there's no doubt that many businesses have been affected. But do you know what you should be doing in the wake of such a disaster? Some of the things you have to think about include what steps to take to get things up and running, how do you find the right company to clean up the mess, and how should you deal with employees who are dealing with losses at home as well as at work? Perhaps you'll find some answers in these articles.

Take a look at what you should do after a natural disaster strikes your business. (Item #1)   This post looks at 10 recovery actions you must take after a disaster.  (Item #2)   After a disaster, many small business owners whose companies were hit by hurricanes or other natural disasters embark on an uncertain path to recovery. (Item #3) 

Here's a rundown of what businesses should know about business continuity and disaster recovery planning. (Item #4)   Here are a few tips and guidelines on how to choose the best water damage professionals for the job after a flood or other water disaster. (Item #5)   When a disaster or crisis of any kind strikes, the human element should take priority over business and industry.  (Item #6)

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The Changing Face of Terrorism

October 31, 2018 - This past week has been a sad reminder to us that terrorism is no longer just something we need to fear from foreign enemies. At a grocery store in Kentucky (and almost at a church there), at a synagogue in Pittsburgh, and at any number of locations across the country targeted with bombs by mail, we have seen domestic terror at work. It would seem that it's time -- if we haven't done so already -- to learn more about the changing face of terrorism and to incorporate some terrorism training into our orientations at work (see Item #4). See what this week's articles have to say about terrorism today and how we can help our employees deal with this threat in the workplace.

The ability of organizations to adapt to the changing pattern of terrorism is essential if they are able to limit the effects of terrorism on their operations and employees. (Item #1)   The changing nature of terrorism has impacted the world in many ways; today businesses need to understand the risk posed by terrorist attacks on their people, property, and technology. (Item #2)   If the government started seeing violent anti-Semitic or white supremacist groups as more like jihadist groups, several things could change. (Item #3)

The workplace will continue to be an ideal target for international terrorists---even more so due to a lack of preparedness and a perceived lack of employer emphasis on workplace preparedness for terrorism. (Item #4)   With terrorism affecting the Western world like never before it's imperative to keep employees feeling safe. (Item #5)   Terrorism is an act of desperation rather than real power. (Item #6)


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Risk Management

October 24, 2018 - Managing risk is an ongoing process. You can't assume a "once-and-done” attitude toward this important activity or you might find yourself in trouble. So, even if you have a risk management policy, you might want to take a look at this week's articles to see if and how it can be improved.

Risk management is a form of insurance in itself, and in today's economic environment, it's an imperative step for sustainable success. (Item #1)   If and when the risk becomes reality, a well-prepared business can moderate the risk's impact. (Item #2)   Proper risk management will reduce not only the likelihood of an event occurring, but also the magnitude of its impact. (Item #3)

Business risk management isn't just a nice-to-have --- it's an invaluable tool for protecting your company and investments, according to this business owner. (Item #4)   Take these steps to put an initial risk management plan into place at your small business. (Item #5)   Conducting a company risk assessment can allow an organization to obtain a holistic view of the risks it faces, allowing management to identify these risks and capitalize on opportunities. (Item #6)


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Crisis Communication

October 17, 2018 - As you read through this week's articles, you will see several themes... respond quickly, tell the truth and apologize. There's lots more good information as well. Companies have to act like people in a crisis situation, and the way they communicate can enable that perception in their stakeholders. We hope you don't have to put this information to use, but, let's face it, stuff happens, and we all need whatever help we can get just in case.

Starbucks raised the bar on how to do what's right when something goes wrong. (Item #1)  Here are five crisis communications takeaways from the characters of "Stranger Things." (Item #2)  Unsure of where to begin preparing to communicate in a crisis? Here are seven tips your organization should master. (Item #3)

In this digital age, there are several questions crisis communication plans should address. (Item #4)  Here's a look at five examples of crisis communication fails and what we can learn from them about what not to do in a business crisis. (Item #5)  While this expert says that "crisis is inevitable," she believes that when handled properly a crisis can actually give a boost to an organization. (Item #6)


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Cybersecurity Awareness Month

October 10, 2018 - This October is the 15th observation of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, an initiative to raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity. The theme for 2018 is "Cybersecurity is our shared responsibility and we all must work together to improve our Nation's cybersecurity." These articles focus on the five Cybersecurity Framework Function areas: identify, protect, detect, respond and recover.

The first step in protecting a business from cyber threats is to identify the "crown jewels" of your business – those assets and systems that are critical to your business. (Item #1)   Here is a cybersecurity toolkit created for small and medium-size businesses. (Item #2)   Market pressure to adopt online security will come from these major factors. (Item #3)

To help organizations identify breaches sooner, breach detection platform provider Lastline lists seven tips. (Item #4)   Experts weigh in on the most important considerations when developing a cybersecurity incident response plan. (Item #5)   66 percent of organizations would not recover from a cyberattack if it occurred today. Is your organization prepared? (Item #6)

For the full issue, click here.

Fire Prevention, Preparedness & Safety

October 3, 2018 - National Fire Prevention Week, this year Oct. 7-13, has been observed since 1922 in the week in which Oct. 9 falls to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred Oct. 8-10 and killed more than 300 people. October also is National Fire Prevention Month. Each year at this time we like to focus on fire safety, prevention, and preparedness. Take a look at this week's articles to see how to prepare and stay safe at work and at home. Don't take your safety for granted.

All companies should create a basic fire prevention plan for fire safety. (Item #1)  To protect yourself, home, and loved ones, follow this fire safety guide, so you're prepared for the worst. (Item #2)  Having your door closed makes a 900 degree difference in a fire. (Item #3)

Fire takes more lives in the workplace than anything else... here are some tips to prevent such fatalities.  (Item #4)  Pull, aim, squeeze, sweep (PASS)... do you know to what this refers? (Item #5)  Fire evacuation procedures are critical... make sure everyone knows them. (Item #6)


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Meeting & Event Emergency Management Planning

September 26, 2018 - Every event or meeting is both an opportunity for success and a possible potential for failure; you just never know what might happen. But planning can help ensure success, or at least, help deal with disasters to avoid catastrophe. These articles identify many possible pitfalls and ways to overcome them.

What's your "Convention Misery Index" number? (Item #1)   Here is a list of nine threats to your event and how you might overcome them. (Item #2)   Here are 10 painful moments every event manager will have experienced at one time or another and how to tackle them. (Item #3)

Here are some lessons learned from event planning failures. (Item #4)   What makes great events so memorable, and how can we bottle up that magic and replicate it in the future? (Item #5)   Being prepared is the #1 way to avoid a crisis when you can and mitigate the damage when you can't. (Item #6)


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Recovering from a Data Breach or other Cyber Attack

September 19, 2018 - Statistically speaking, as you read this, you could become the victim of a data breach or cyber attack. We hope that is not the case. But, given the prevalence of such attacks, you should certainly have a plan of how to deal with one should an attack happen. If you have been hacked, you might want to read Item #6. If not, this week’s other articles could be helpful to you.

This plan for recovering from a data breach will vary from business to business, but it should always contain these four essential steps. (Item #1)   Data security experts answer the question "What's the most important next step you should take following a data breach?" (Item #2)   Once a breach has been discovered, the organization should take these immediate steps to limit the impact of the breach. (Item #3)

Hidden costs of data breaches may include cybersecurity insurance premium increases, lost contract revenue, loss of intellectual property, lost customers, business disruption, devaluation of trade name, and increased cost to raise debt. (Item #4)   This article explores four major points on how to recoup your security procedures so that they're stronger than ever before --- even if you haven't suffered the embarrassment of a breach. (Item #5)   Here are the missteps executives make time and again after a data breach and advice for avoiding these pitfalls. (Item #6)


For the full issue, click here.

Workplace Terrorism

September 12, 2018 - Workplaces are good targets for terrorism. There may be activities or policies that prompt terror attacks, but sometimes workplaces are chosen as targets simply because many people are there. And sometimes the terrorist is an insider about whom nobody saw suspicious behavior. Regardless of the causes or actors, there are things you can do to mitigate your risk or prevent terrorist attacks and to learn how to recognize potential problems and deal with people afterward. This week’s articles provide some help.

This short guide will help employers understand the preventative actions they can take and the latest guidance should they, and their employees, be caught up in a terrorist attack. (Item #1)   Although a terrorist attack is not likely to strike your workplace, it is important to be prepared mentally and emotionally. (Item #2)   What can you do to reduce the chances of terrorism happening to you, within your own workplace? (Item #3)

If you feel like you need to talk about your grief over recent terror attacks, here’s how to broach the subject with your coworkers. (Item #4)   After a terrorist attack anywhere, people are overwhelmed by the tragedy; here are some ways people cope at work. (Item #5)   Some violence in the workplace is more accurately classified for what it really is--terrorism. (Item #6)


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Employee Issues

September 5, 2018 - It would be wonderful if we could solve all problems in the workplace before they occur, but this is not likely to happen. What we can do, however, is pay attention to the issues that may arise and learn how to mitigate or avoid them. That's what this week's articles attempt to help us with. 

A culture that fosters empathy in the workplace is one of the best ways to create an engaged workforce that combats the loss of productivity and more. (Item #1)   Do you know some of the key issues employers should monitor in 2018 that may trigger a handbook update? (Item #2)   These are four areas for employers to consider when reviewing their workplace privacy policies. (Item #3)

Here are a few traits of leaders and ways employees can become leaders when a crisis strikes to help their co-workers, staff, and managers weather a turbulent time. (Item #4)   Companies must take reasonable steps to investigate and address problems -- no matter how small - that may be creating a hostile work environment. (Item #5)   Each of these 10 points starts as a nugget of advice for a manager or a boss about what they should do to avoid being sued by employees. (Item #6)


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Preparedness

August 29, 2018 - September will be the 14th annual National Preparedness Month. This year's theme is "Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How." Having a plan for dealing with disasters is the most important thing, and this week's articles can help you focus on ways to prepare your business, your employees and everyone's families for various disasters and situations.

Ready.gov offers suggestions and links to resources to employ before and during the observation of National Preparedness Month. (Item #1)   The EPA offers valuable information on protecting health and the environment. (Item #2)   Smart911 identifies the six most common disasters and how to prepare for them. (Item #3)

Here are a few things your business might consider in order to take advantage of the national focus on preparedness. (Item #4)   Here are 10 ways to champion the value and importance of business continuity planning. (Item #5)   Planning and training for all potential emergencies will help both you and your employees be ready for unexpected situations. (Item #6)


For the full issue, click here.

Reputation Management

August 22, 2018 - I don't think anyone would argue against the fact that reputation matters. But we may not be aware of how much it matters and how important it is to understand and keep control of corporate reputation. A tarnished reputation can make it difficult not just to get clients or customers, but it will make it harder to attract and keep good employees. The bottom line is that a tarnished reputation will impact your bottom line; you need to keep it polished. Read on...

Disengaged employees, or normally engaged employees who feel an air of uncertainty, can damage your reputation from the inside out by engaging in gossip. (Item #1)   Whether applying for a job or attracting business opportunities, a good reputation affects your bottom line. (Item #2)   The value of strong ethical business practices can be found in your business reputation and company brand. (Item #3)

There is a rising interdependence of brand and corporate reputation. (Item #4)   Proactive online reputation management is much better than mere insurance. (Item #5)   As we continue to place more trust in search results, the importance of maintaining and managing our online reputation grows. (Item #6)


For the full issue, click here.

Business Continuity Planning

August 15, 2018 - Most of you are aware that business continuity planning can be the difference between life or death for your company in the event of a serious disruption or disaster. If you have a plan, great; but is it up to date? If you don't have a plan, you need one. These articles can be helpful to you regardless of your situation, giving you help in getting started or causing you to re-think what you're already doing and to consider some things you hadn't thought of.

We rarely get advance notice that a disaster is ready to strike; even with some lead time, though, multiple things can go wrong; every incident is unique and unfolds in unexpected ways. (Item #1)  share seven steps to create a solid business continuity plan. (Item #2)  This study suggests that the 81 percent of organizations with an up-to-date plan are "not only able to handle identified risks, but they are also more resilient when recovering from unplanned events." (Item #3)

What might you have overlooked or underrated in developing your BC plan? (Item #4)  Paying a ransom is not the way to deal with a ransomware attack; instead, comprehensive business continuity and disaster recovery planning provide the best solution says Paul Barber. (Item #5)  Pandemic planning seems to be a low profile area at the moment but if you think your organization is safe from a pandemic, think again. (Item #6)


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Cyber Issues and Business Continuity

August 8, 2018 - According to many experts, it's time to integrate cybersecurity and business continuity. No longer is cybersecurity only the purview of the IT department with the rest of the organization unknowing about how or why it's done. The danger presented by cyber hacking makes it critical that business continuity plans include response to cyber issues. They are a risk to us all, and this week's articles are further proof of that.

Organizations have traditionally treated information security and business continuity management as two separate disciplines. But is the situation changing? (Item #1)  Cyber scenarios have become much more common in business continuity exercises, due to the increasing concern about the impacts of information security threats; here are seven tips for running yours. (Item #2)  It makes sense to integrate cyber security and business continuity so you can respond to attacks and data breaches faster, efficiently, and more effectively. (Item #3)

Cybersecurity is no longer just a technology issue, it's a business one too. (Item #4)  The cybersecurity solution you implement impacts ROI. (Item #5)  The reality is that although the numbers may seem large to the average person, the financial impact of data breaches on large companies is negligible. (Item #6)


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Cloud Computing

July 25, 2018 - While cloud services can help secure your data, save you money and are one of the most critical developments in recent computing history, they don't eliminate the need for a good business continuity or disaster recovery plan. Just read these articles to see why... and to learn about some of the risks involved as well as the way cloud computing is already changing.

Although cloud computing may reduce certain continuity concerns due to the advantages of a distributed infrastructure, it will never eliminate the need for well-tested business continuity (BC) plans. (Item #1)  BC professionals can clear up misperceptions about what the cloud is and provide a robust mechanism to protect the organization even when it relies on "the cloud". (Item #2)  Here are 10 best practices for leveraging the cloud for BC and disaster recovery. (Item #3)

Although cloud adoption should never be thought of as a solution to an organization's DR and BC challenges, it certainly can play a positive role. (Item #4)  Here are the "Treacherous 12," the top security threats organizations face when using cloud services. (Item #5)  These are five of the hottest changes in cloud technology you'll witness in 2018. (Item #6)


For the full issue, click here.

Workplace Violence

July 18, 2018 - With the increase in workplace violence, we are almost not surprised to turn on the news and find out about a new incident. The recent shootings at the Capital newspaper in Annapolis are only one example of such an event. The questions we need to answer are how to recognize the signs, what to do about preventing such violence and what needs to be done following a violent incident. This week’s articles can help provide those answers.

By better addressing the underlying causes of workplace violence through enhanced employee wellness programs, we may be able to turn the tide and make our workplaces a safer place. (Item #1)  An expert says we really have to create situational awareness so that everyone understands that active shooters are a society menace --- without creating paranoia. (Item #2)  The risk of workplace violence can be dramatically reduced with good information, good policies, and increased awareness. (Item #3)

Regardless of the type of violence or the location in which it is committed, incidents of workplace violence can often be deterred through early recognition and effective response. (Item #4)  Here are five ways business owners can reduce the risk of workplace violence and protect their employees. (Item #5)  Physical attacks on employees are rare but when they happen, employers should be ready to provide psychiatric resources for victims as they work to cope with trauma. (Item #6)


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Risk

July 11, 2018 - Managing risk may be on of the biggest issues facing businesses of all sizes today. What's your process for risk management? The best approach is to develop an integrated program to which all parts of the organization -- not only the risk management committee -- contribute. Perhaps this week's articles can help you review your process and/or design one that might be more successful.

Business continuity management and enterprise risk management complement one another, and both are necessary in today's high-risk business environment. (Item #1)  This article covers three areas that will help you implement a more strategic way of managing business continuity risks. (Item #2)  Developing business resiliency through integrated risk management must be a top priority for all businesses. (Item #3)

When identifying a potential risk and compliance technology solution, an organization can run into several challenges, including how to balance a changing regulatory landscape while maintaining business as usual and, perhaps most importantly, while continuing to meet performance and profitability expectations. (Item #4)  A recent AON report says that companies are grappling with new risks and lack consensus on how to best prioritize and respond to them. (Item #5)  Here's how to manage small business risks as well as the risk you represent to your company. (Item #6)


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Awareness, Testing and Training

June 27, 2018 - If nobody reads your business continuity plan (or even knows it's there), can it possibly work? Probably not, and that should worry you. Just because the plan is done, doesn't mean your work is done. It's critical that everyone in the organization understands who's in charge, what each person's role is and how everything is supposed to work. Otherwise, why have the plan at all? This week's articles look at how awareness, testing, and training are done and why they are important.
 
How will your business respond if faced with a natural disaster, a cyberthreat or an active shooter scenario?  (Item #1)   We couldn't possibly prepare and practice our response for every conceivable business disruption - we have to be generally prepared for everything! (Item #2)   When developing training and awareness content that is retained by attendees, there are two major factors to consider. (Item #3)

Some 23% of companies with a business continuity plan never test it. You shouldn't be one of them. (Item #4)   Here's how business continuity managers should go about planning and executing a business continuity training and awareness campaign. (Item #5)   If you're tired of the same old exercises, here are some tips to make them more interesting and relevant. (Item #6)


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Safety and Security in Workplace Emergencies

June 20, 2018 - Many of us don't really believe that our organization will experience an emergency. If you're one of those folks, you need to put a greater priority on safety and security in the workplace because work emergencies have become more and more common in recent years. There is a lot of helpful information available on how to improve your safety and security quotient... we offer some in these articles.
 
The best way is to prepare to respond to an emergency before it happens; OSHA offers advice on how to plan for everyone's safety. (Item #1)  This article discusses how to identify an emergency situation in the workplace. (Item #2)  The key to a safe workplace is having effective safety and security policies in place and to communicate these policies to all employees. (Item #3)

Workplace emergencies require an immediate, coordinated response from many individuals in an organization who may have little information about the crisis. (Item #4)  This blog examines how to respond to nine of the most common types of workplace emergencies. (Item #5)  Here are a few specific trends that have become apparent in recent years, all of which are pressuring companies to focus more on safety and security. (Item #6)


For the full issue, click here.

Meetings/Events Risk and Mitigation

June 13, 2018 - Something always happens at events... you've had the experience yourself when something goes wrong and a crisis ensues. So it's never a case of IF you need a mitigation plan, but how soon can you put one together. And these days, there are more new risks: data breaches, terror attacks, sexual harassment, disease, and others too numerous to mention. If you haven't sat down and considered your next event's vulnerability to various risks, it's time to do so now.
 
Here's what planners need to do to anticipate, assess, and address each event's security needs from soup to nuts. (Item #1)   Here are some things to consider when working with a Professional Conference Organizer (PCO) to manage your meeting. (Item #2)   Risk management overall is a hot topic for most companies, but very little is known about the specific risks as they apply to the meetings and events space, and the strategies that can be applied to mitigate these risks. (Item #3)

Information gathering, education, and flexibility will help you hone your mitigation plans. (Item #4)   For the time being, safety should be the priority for planners as they look to stage new events, even if a destination doesn't seem particularly risky. (Item #5)   Of the 100 event professionals who responded to a recent poll, 80 percent said that they had experienced some form of on-the-job sexual harassment. (Item #6)


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Business Identity Theft

June 6, 2018 - We hope you don't think that your business won't become the victim of identity theft. Because, according to all the experts, business ID theft is becoming more and more common as hackers try to outdo each other. While you can never be completely prepared for an identity theft attack, there are many things you can do to protect your business. Check out these articles for some things to consider.
 
Thanks to business identity theft, there are new unexpected risks to you and your business - risks they don't teach you about in business school. (Item #1)   Just as with individual income tax returns, certain business, partnership, and trust and estate return filers should be aware of these signs that their identity has been stolen. (Item #2)   Here's how to secure your sensitive information --- online and offline. (Item #3)

This article has tips for organizations under FTC jurisdiction to determine whether they need to design an identity theft prevention program. (Item #4)   While social media has created no-cost marketing opportunities, it also has created risks, including identity theft and data breach. Are you paying enough attention to the risks and costs?  (Item #5)   Employees are becoming increasingly more vulnerable to cyber threats, just as your company is as a whole. (Item #6)


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National Safety Month

May 30, 2018 - June is the annual observance of National Safety Month and time to think about your organization's safety culture. If you're not committed to safety and working to incorporate it into all your plans and policies, you should be. Check out this week's articles and see how you can raise the priority for safety in your company.
 
Here are some downloads to get you thinking about National Safety Month. (Item #1)   Do you know what fatigue is costing your company in terms of safety and dollars? (Item #2)   Where does National Safety Month come from, and how can your company participate? (Item #3)

Thinking about safety is not just for construction workers. (Item #4)   Here are 25 ways to tell whether or not you have an awesome safety culture. (Item #5)   Workplace safety games can enhance employees' understanding of safety policies and standards. (Item #6)


For the full issue, click here.

Mass Communication Systems

May 23, 2018 - Today we have a multitude of options for mass communications, but often we don't have a clue about how to decide on one that's best for our individual needs. These articles look at the types of capabilities you need in a system, how you can use these systems to solve other corporate problems,  the importance of testing and maintaining such systems, and on what criteria to evaluate potential vendors.
 
For executives already leveraging mass notification systems for IT alerting or just evaluating available solutions, three key capabilities are worth considering. (Item #1)  Mass notification, or emergency communications, are two terms that are often used interchangeably; but are they truly the same thing?  (Item #2)  Nobody wants to think about the worst that can happen, but having a system in place to notify employees of situations like an active shooter or natural disaster is crucial for workplace safety. (Item #3)

Are your mass notification systems and plans enough to ensure your occupants' safety during an emergency? (Item #4)  See if our list of business challenges sounds familiar and read on to learn how a mass communication system might be an answer. (Item #5)  This article has information and a chart that helps you evaluate vendors of mass and emergency communication systems. (Item #6)


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Hurricanes and Other Severe Weather Threats

May 16, 2018 - The hurricane season begins June 1 and brings with it many severe weather threats that can cause problems through November. Early predictions indicate 14 named storms, seven of which will be hurricanes and three of which will be major hurricanes. This is better than last year but still slightly above average. This week's articles cover a range of topics, including communication in a hurricane and legal issues of concern. What are you doing now to prepare your business to deal with the potential disasters that could threaten?
 
Increasingly severe natural disasters and unpredictable weather patterns are disrupting workplaces across the U.S. and serve as a warning that business continuity and workplace recovery plans should be in place long before disaster strikes. (Item #1)   are four steps to take to maintain business continuity during a disaster and when to act – starting now. (Item #2)   Are you prepared to effectively and efficiently communicate during a hurricane? (Item #3)

FEMA's Ready Business Program is intended to recognize and acknowledge organizations who complete preparedness and mitigation actions to protect employees, customers, and continuity. (Item #4)   A labor and employment attorney warns that businesses should be preparing for the unique HR challenges that pose as a result of hurricanes. (Item #5)   The most important thing you can do as hurricane season approaches is to get yourself, your family and your home prepared. (Item #6)


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Business Continuity

May 9, 2018 - Business Continuity Awareness Week is May 14-18. The theme this year is "Working together to improve organizational resilience." It's a good time to take steps to ensure that your business will be able to recover from an emergency or crisis. The first thing you have to do is stop thinking that it won't happen here because, eventually, it will, and you need to be prepared. Everyone in the organization needs to be aware of any plans and to know what their roles are. These articles can help in your preparations.
 
When done right, business continuity training and awareness programs have the potential to deliver significant value across the entire organization. (Item #1)  Let's take a look at some key employee considerations that should be in your business continuity plan. (Item #2)  Understanding what is happening within our brains when making decisions under stress can help improve performance under pressure; this article provides an overview and some useful tips for ways to improve your decision making during incidents. (Item #3)

The essence of resilience is, of course, real; think of it as a desirable organizational property, like compliance or liquidity. (Item #4)  The art of crisis management (for it is an art) is often confused with business continuity, and, while they are similar necessities, crisis management is its own animal. (Item #5)  The author shows how business continuity managers should go about planning and executing a business continuity training and awareness campaign. (Item #6)


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Legal, Ethical and Cultural Issues of Business Continuity

May 2, 2018 - The laws and regulations of business continuity planning are pretty well known at this point, but ethical and cultural considerations may not be. These ethical and cultural issues are not illegal, but, as some have called some such practices, are "lawful but awful." You need to consider all these issues in your planning to prevent problems and even liabilities.

Legal issues and business risks go hand-in-hand, and BCP and DR are no exceptions. (Item #1)  Ethical and cultural issues play an important role in business continuity planning. (Item #2)  Acting ethically is more than simply doing what the law requires; it is also "doing the right thing", an approach that is an integral part of an emerging discipline of "integrity management". (Item #3)

Strategic planning for organizational "integrity" continuity is essential for avoiding, mitigating, and surviving organizational scandals and (un)ethical disasters. (Item #4)  Your company can display two types of resilience---business resilience and cultural resilience. (Item #5)  Just as business has developed a safety culture, it now needs to develop a continuity culture. (Item #6)


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Testing and Training

April 25, 2018 - What do you think would happen if a Broadway play had no rehearsals? The actors all know their lines, but now the curtain is going up and nobody knows where to stand, where to exit, or where the props are. So they each know their parts but they have no idea how they work together. That play would probably close right after opening night. So what would happen if you had to use your business continuity plan(s) in a crisis without any kind of rehearsal? Would your people know what to do, where to go, who's in charge? We doubt it. See this issue for some tips on testing that will help your plan work when it's called on.

You can't wait until the crisis to use your business continuity plan. (Item #1)  Three fundamental test types are used in business continuity testing: a plan review, a tabletop test, and a simulation test. Each is examined here. (Item #2)  By practicing regular digital fire drills, organizations and their employees will be empowered with knowledge and tools to limit the damage and ensure the organization is on the fast road to recovery. (Item #3) 

The biggest exposure to the risk of any organization is the implementation of an 'untested' plan or the expectation that 'untested aspects' of a partially tested plan will function as well as the tested components. (Item #4)  These 19 tips can help you make your testing more interesting and more relevant. (Item #5)  Unfortunately, most recovery plan testing is limited to a tabletop—not an operational fail-over. (Item #6)


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Data Breaches

April 18, 2018 - There's a data breach in your future, whether you believe it or not. As we find more ways to protect our data, hackers find better ways to steal it. The result of these breaches goes beyond the extensive financial cost. Your stock price may drop. Customer trust is eroded. Corporate reputation may be damaged. Recovering from all of these impacts is expensive and time-consuming. Your business continuity plan should include some planning for preventing and responding to these attacks.

The assertion that data breach prevention and preparedness is strictly an information technology security issue could not be further from the truth. (Item #1)   Findings of a recent survey show that there are financial and reputational benefits of having an effective BCM program when a data breach occurs. (Item #2)   58 data records are stolen every second... guess what the average cost is. (and view the IBM data breach calculator) (Item #3)

Here are the missteps executives make time and again after a data breach and advice for avoiding these pitfalls. (Item #4)   The author offers his own recommendations to help companies regain trust in the age of the data breach. (Item #5)   It's always better, if possible, to prevent a data breach than to fix it. (Item #6)


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Social Media

April 11, 2018 - If you are using social media as a tool, your organization can benefit (or suffer) in many ways. Using it ineffectively can cause problems that might negatively impact your bottom line. Using it well to gain new customers can have the opposite effect. This week's articles highlight some of the effective ways to use this range of tools.

The author shares his thoughts on how to deal with a crisis in the public (Twitter)sphere. (Item #1)  Social media is better used as a customer service and brand-equity platform than a revenue generator. (Item #2)  Delivering exceptional customer service on social media means understanding (and focusing on) three fundamental areas. (Item #3)

Social media can help organizations share their stories and connect with their target audience--candidates, new hires, and current employees. (Item #4)  How does your nonprofit board support your social media efforts to engage with your members? (Item #5)  These are the essential elements of a solid social media employee advocacy training program. (Item #6)


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Communication in the Post-Truth Era

April 4, 2018 - Fake news and alternative facts (notice hardly anyone says "lie" anymore) have been part of the communication landscape for a couple of years now. We find ourselves in the post-truth era. What does this mean to those of us who need to gain the public's trust to achieve our missions and improve our bottom lines? And what does it mean to our marketing communications? Crisis Communications? The most clues to navigating and surviving this era come from understanding what post-truth means, which is why we have chosen the following articles this week.

Corrections or counter-information to false rumors, lies, or "alternative facts" are very difficult, and should be a matter of public concern; in many cases, therefore, attenuating them may be the only hope. (Item #1)  Reporting the news and communicating to target audiences have become far more challenging because truth is increasingly relative and trusted information sources are suspect. (Item #2)  How should companies communicate in the Post-Truth era, particularly when it comes to the use of numbers? (Item #3)

The phenomenon or confirmation bias is one we all need to be aware of and figure out how to navigate. (Item #4)  Fake news. Clickbait. Sensationalism and misinformation. Americans are experiencing a plague of untrustworthy content, and content marketing isn't immune to the disease. (Item #5)  There's no Trade Practices Act for politics. And that's a shame. (Item #6)


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Workplace Violence

March 28, 2018 - April will be the 6th annual Workplace Violence Awareness Month. According to workplaceviolenceawareness.org, workplace violence is a serious recognized occupational hazard, ranking among the top four causes of death in workplaces during the past 15 years. Additional BLS data indicate that an average of more than 15,000 nonfatal workplace injury cases was reported annually during this time. Remember that planning is the key to prevention. What's your plan to help prevent violence in your workplace?

Employers play an important role in preventing workplace violence. (Item #1)  Do you know which of the four kinds of workplace violence is most likely to affect your company? (Item #2)  Here's the latest on workplace violence statistics. (Item #3)

Know the warning signs of workplace violence to protect yourself and your employees. (Item #4)  Here are some tips on identifying and responding to the stages of workplace violence. (Item #5)  In addition to everything else you have to do after an incident of violence, did you know you have to notify OSHA within eight hours? (Item #6)


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Meetings & Events: Crisis Management

March 21, 2018 - So you have everything set for this event, the keynote speech is about to begin, and you sit in the back of the meeting room and breathe a sigh of relief. All of a sudden, you smell smoke and alarms are going off. People are screaming and running out the doors. This is one of those crises that could easily ruin your event. If you have a crisis plan, you may be able to deal with this situation and maybe even be able to get everything back on track. If you haven't thought about event crisis plans, now is the time to start. These articles can help.

"In today's world, it's really frustrating to me that meeting planners are not taking emergency planning more seriously." (Item #1)  Here are five tips to help you bounce back from an event crisis. (Item #2)  In the event of a crisis, here are nine tips to save face and ensure your event goes on without a hitch. (Item #3)

Getting event crisis communications right is not an easy thing so don't leave it to chance and don't underestimate the consequences. (Item #4)  Make sure nothing comes between your event and success. (Item #5)  Here are some common event disasters and tips on how you can manage them. (Item #6)


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Guns in the Workplace

March 14, 2018 - Does your company have a policy on guns in the workplace or at your events? These days, almost every company allows guns to be kept in cars in the parking lot, but do they let them in the office? And how do you handle requests from employees who want to bring concealed weapons to work? Every company has a right to allow or prohibit guns at work. Take a look at this week's articles and see if you need to develop or revise your guns-at-work policy.

Bring your kid to work? Sure. Bring your dog to work? No problem. Bring your gun to work? In many states, packing heat on the job is a legally protected right. (Item #1)   Guns in the workplace will continue to present challenges for corporations. Companies that fail to address this issue are placing themselves in serious danger of civil and criminal liability. (Item #2)   In a world of ever-increasing, gun-related violence, with very strong gun rights laws for employees protecting their right to carry, a well-thought-out policy and review of these issues is important to all prudent employers. (Item #3)

With rising concerns about the dangers of guns in workplaces, there has never been a better time to consider prevention policies and ways to address employee issues related to bringing a gun to the workplace. (Item #4)   Without taking sides on this hotly debated subject, the reality is that you can't plan your next meeting without addressing the question of guns. (Item #5)   Recognize that the reason you might adopt any concealed carry guidelines is to keep your employees safe and comfortable. (Item #6)


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Reputation Management

March 7, 2018 - How do you monitor your online reputation? How important is it to you? Maintaining a good reputation is critical to your business, as a bad reputation can adversely impact your bottom line. This week, we've gathered some articles to help you monitor, manage and protect your corporate reputation.

In this article, the author explores 10 essential keys for senior executives and directors to consider in managing reputation risk. (Item #1)  Here are five ways that you can protect your company's reputation on social media. (Item #2)  Understanding reputation management will give you insight on how it can affect your placement in Google rankings. (Item #3)

The author has come up with a no-bullsh*t guide of best practices for reputation management. Follow these tips and chances are you can mitigate some of the damages. (Item #4)  It is much more effective to proactively build and maintain a company's online reputation as opposed to going into recovery mode when bad press hits the Web. (Item #5)  This book is a research-based toolbox to be used for effective corporate communications and creating a positive reputation. (Item #6)


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Insider Threats to Business Continuity

February 28, 2018 - Yes, some internal threats are intentional, but most are unintentional, which makes them difficult to guard against. Estimates indicate that more than 50% of businesses have been victimized by insider attacks. Don't let yours be one of them... take a look at this week's articles dealing with this growing threat.

Insider attacks may demonstrate characteristics of an external attack; they also may leave unique digital footprints that are identifiable risk indicators. (Item #1)   More than ever, your users are the weak link in your network security. (Item #2)   Ask these 10 questions when building an insider-threat program. (Item #3)

Board members must understand the various types of insider threats and then ask the right questions to ensure they give their cybersecurity leaders the resources and tools they need to build a robust program. (Item #4)   Information and case studies in this booklet from the Australian government can help you manage insider threat risks. (Item #5)   Could insider threats be the elephant in the security room? (Item #6)


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Social Engineering

February 21, 2018 - Phishing, vishing (uses phone calls) and smishing (uses text messages) plus impersonation are the top four social engineering techniques used in more than half of the hack attacks these days. This week we're looking at what social engineering is, preventing attacks, your best defenses again these attacks and how to educate your employees about social engineering.

Here's what you need to know to protect your organization and your users from social engineers. (Item #1)   Twenty-eight infosec experts discuss how to prevent the most common social engineering attacks. (Item #2)   Cybercrooks use the dangerous weapon of social engineering to get at the weakest link: the user. (Item #3)

How social engineering works (and why you may never know you're a target). (Item #4)   But there are steps you can take to tighten your security against social engineering attacks. (Item #5)   Here's information about educating your staff to prevent them falling for social engineering scams. (Item #6)


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Email Threats

February 14, 2018 - Email will always be with us and so will all the scams, hoaxes and threats that continue to grow each year. This issue focuses on understanding some of these threats and learning to combat them.

Malicious email authors are clever and relentless, and they are constantly developing new, or at least different ways to deceive and attack us. (Item #1)   Emails are here to stay, and companies have another problem besides handling the incoming and outgoing emails: an increasing number have to be stored for long periods of time due to laws & regulations. (Item #2)   There are at least three versions of this business email scheme. (Item #3)

Organizations need high email availability and continuity; you need an email continuity strategy. (Item #4)   Protecting the organization from email-based threats is ultimately a collaboration between all levels of an organization, from the CEO down to the rank-and-file. (Item #5)   Over 90% of all network breaches are caused by, or include a phishing attack; what can you do to protect your organization? (Item #6)


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Cyber Security

February 7, 2018 - Cybersecurity (or cybersecurity, whichever you prefer) is always in the news due to some kind of breach or another. There's no question that the next breach is probably right around the corner. And with the GDPR deadline fast approaching, organizations are more motivated to ramp up their cybersecurity. Everyone is focused on how to protect their systems and their data. This week's articles look at some past issues and some new approaches to the problem.

Companies throughout the world need to understand and ensure compliance with GDPR guidelines if they have any interaction with personal data from EU residents. (Item #1)   Business continuity and disaster recovery planning are every bit as critical to cybersecurity as application and network security. (Item #2)   A review of some of 2017's biggest cybersecurity disasters may give us a taste of what might be in store this year. (Item #3)

Blockchain tech has an inherent connection to cybersecurity. (Item #4)   Our approach to cybersecurity treats users like they are the problem, when they should be part of the solution. (Item #5)   It's time to get smarter about this lesser-known aspect of your cybersecurity program. (Item #6)


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Ransomware

January 31, 2018 - According to many recent surveys, ransomware is expected to be a (if not THE) leading cyber threat of 2018. Some report that 63% of businesses have experienced attempted ransomware attacks. Everything is vulnerable to these attacks; even our cars and home appliances can be at risk. The newest predictions say that ransomware will hit the cloud this year. Given all of this, it's time to learn all we can about this threat and how we might protect ourselves. Read on...

Ransomware is a type of malware that has become a significant threat to U.S. businesses and individuals during the past two years. (Item #1)   Ransomware was a significant threat in 2017 and is likely to become an even greater threat in 2018. (Item #2)   Did you know what ransomware can do besides encrypting your data? (Item #3)

The smartification of everything and the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) into our culture means that everyone and everything will be a target of ransomware around the clock. (Item #4)   Ransomware targeting cloud services is one of the six biggest cyber threats likely to face organizations in 2018, according to an MIT study. (Item #5)   While you might have escaped a major ransomware attack up to this point, statistics indicate it's not a matter of if you'll be attacked, but a matter of when. (Item #6)


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Risk Management & Business Continuity

January 24, 2018 - This quote by Teddy Roosevelt is indicative of his understanding of the benefits and dangers of risk.

"Risk is like fire: If controlled it will help you; if uncontrolled it will rise up and destroy you."

He was himself a risk taker, but he knew the importance of controlling risk. This week we are looking at assessing/managing risk – whether it benefits us, how it benefits us, and what are the best approaches. What are your thoughts?

Here’s how to survive and benefit from the risk assessment process. (Item #1)   This article looks at the importance of a strategic approach to risk management. (Item #2)   Does a Risk Assessment really provide any assistance in developing the ability to respond? (Item #3)

The author proposes a new approach to the standard risk equation. (Item #4)   We hear about IT systems going down but how much do we think about whether incidents could have been prevented by taking adequate risk mitigation measures? (Item #5)   Nonprofits have a duty to apply risk management principles—a look at when organizations should adopt a risk management program and how they can begin. (Item #6)


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Business Continuity and the Cloud

January 17, 2018 - Have you migrated to the cloud or are you thinking of doing so? There are lots of legitimate concerns about such a move, but there are also lots of ways to make the migration easier and safer. You should have a good business continuity plan that addresses some of your concerns (like what do you do if your cloud provider goes belly up?) so you can act if problems arise. You may find some helpful information in this week's articles.

Sometimes the decision to migrate to the cloud is put off due to fears that the process will be difficult; in this article are some tips to help smooth the migration path. (Item #1)  You must have resiliency-in-layers, meaning a secondary (or more), geographically and meteorologically diverse, off-premise recovery data centers. (Item #2)  The jury is still out on whether using cloud-based services increases or decreases the likelihood of business interruptions. (Item #3)

Business continuity may be taking on a new flavor as the cloud gains prominence. (Item #4)  Here's what you can do to mitigate the risks of vendor lock-in. (Item #5)  To the best of anyone's knowledge, no one has been killed or injured migrating to the cloud, but there are real fears; they can be overcome. (Item #6)


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What is Crisis Management? Really?

January 10, 2018 - There are so many terms that are used (and misused) for crisis management... among them disaster recovery, incident management, and business continuity. They are all unique, yet all interrelated. These articles attempt to clarify exactly what crisis management is as compared to the other terms and to provide some guidance on preparing your organization for managing a crisis.

Let's set the record straight once and for all as to what crisis management is versus disaster recovery versus business continuity. (Item #1)   This guide will help you to identify potential risks, make preparations for emergencies and test how your business is likely to cope with a disaster. (Item #2)   Making sure our organizations understand the differences between an Incident and a Crisis, and who is responsible for managing our response to them, is critical to meeting the goals of every Business Continuity Management program. (Item #3)

Here are seven critical steps to crisis management that every company should have in place regardless of its size. (Item #4)   If you don't want to end up on a list of worst PR nightmares or risk losing business over a crisis that can easily be averted, here are 13 golden rules of PR crisis management any company should stick to. (Item #5)   Here are 10 steps that can help you prepare for social media crisis management. (Item #6)


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Business Continuity Trends & Challenges in 2018

January 3, 2018 - Many experts (IT, Cybersecurity, etc.) have been making their predictions for what business continuity challenges we will face in 2018. This week, we bring some of these predictions to you... will they change the way you're handling business continuity today? Take a look and see if there are some things you need to change for 2018.

Cyberattacks will continue to expand in scope and volume, affecting critical activities such as supply chains and infrastructure. (Item #1)  Fortinet anticipates this trend in cybersecurity attacks to accelerate into 2018, enabling the destructive trends mentioned in this article. (Item #2)  Here are the "Treacherous 12," the top security threats organizations face when using cloud services. (Item #3)

Next year's trends will continue to build upon the trends we've already been seeing over the last few years. (Item #4)  The scope of terrorism risk insurance has been broadened to address expanded physical and cybersecurity attacks. (Item #5)  Here are 10 trends that have the potential to significantly alter the risk landscape for companies around the world and change how they respond to and manage risk. (Item #6)


For the full issue, click here.