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Expect the Unexpected
by Rebecca Herold, Independent Information Privacy, Security, and Compliance Consultant; Senior Consultant, Cutter Consortium
Over the past few years, it seems more disasters and emergencies have impacted businesses around the world than in any other time in history. Natural disasters, terrorist activities, and criminal actions are affecting organizations of all sizes. Organizations should know that they must be prepared to address a wide range of emergencies and disasters to keep their business going.
Emergency preparedness requires effective and thoughtful preplanning, encompassing all parts of the enterprise. An IT disaster recovery plan must be part of this preparedness. With well-documented, comprehensive, and tested plans, organizations can respond to most emergencies and disasters in an effective and efficient manner.
An effective emergency preparedness and disaster recovery plan will allow an organization to effectively deal with the unexpected when it occurs by having already documented and established the following:
Leadership organization. Predefined roles will reduce the chaos of trying to figure out who does what, where, and when.
Trained personnel. Ensuring that personnel know and understand what to do in various types of disasters and emergencies will help the business recover most effectively, efficiently, and economically.
Technical assistance. Outside agencies and vendors will already be identified and documented, saving time trying to figure out who to contact.
Assets inventory. Personnel will readily know the assets that need protection, and how to protect them, in the event of an emergency or disaster.
Life preservation strategy. A well-documented and tested plan will minimize loss of life and lower the number of injuries.
Property preservation strategy. A well-documented and tested plan will minimize loss of property.
Recovery strategy. After the crisis is over, recovery will be quicker and more efficient, with less impact to business.
Successful businesses will be well prepared for the unexpected but inevitable disasters and emergencies that are part of the world today. But how many organizations are really prepared to meet these unexpected events?
I welcome your comments on this issue of the Cutter Edge and encourage you to send your insights on the market in general to me at rherold@cutter.com.
-- Rebecca Herold, Independent Information Privacy, Security, and Compliance Consultant; Senior Consultant, Cutter Consortium