HUMAN CONCERNS

"Building a Whole That's Greater Than Its Parts", R. Murphy. (SM, Mar. 98) Security managers are successfully taking on the responsibilities of health and safety through careful evaluation, reconstruction, and innovative programs.
"Business Depends on People", J. Steinberg, D. Saracco. (DR Guide, 1998, p. 67) Companies have begun to include mitigation and recovery strategies for the critical element that makes them successful every day--their people!
"Business Ethics: Setting the Right Course", M. Gentile. (RM, Sept. 98, p. 26) A company's major risks can involve the often overlooked element of human behavior. Ethics and responsible business practices programs can be used to streamline communication channels and promote responsibility.
"Combating the Enemy Within", C. Baker. (SURV, Nov. 98, p. 36) Rooting out bad apples on the staff is money well spent.
"Controlling the Strikezone", E. Waidelich. (RM, Feb. 98, p. 34) A contingency team should be organized to prepare for and protect against the potential workplace disruptions associated with labor negotiations or strikes.
"Coping with the Pressure", E. McElean. (SURV, Feb. 98, p. 20) Growing pressures on IT managers are leading to high levels of stress.
"Demystifying Worker's Comp Calculations", T. Schiff. (SM, Mar. 98) Workers' compensation premiums can be difficult to understand, but managers who take the time could be rewarded with big savings.
"Fear Management", M. Morgan, P. Camper. (DRJ, Vol 11, 4, p. 46) Weapons of mass destruction (WMD) terrorism by definition causes mass casualties, both direct and indirect. History (I.e., the Tokyo Subway sarin attack) teaches us that the greates numbers of victims or casualties arise from the indirect psychological consequence -- FEAR.
"Fire Safety: Texas School District Renews This Top Priority", (SEC, Vol 35, 6, p. 51) What are some school authorities doing to improve the safety of their children while they are in the care of the school system? Here is how one Texas school district addressed fire alarm system issues.
"Firing Up Your Plan", K. Cassidy. (SM, Sept. 98) Every sound fire safety program must be based on these critical steps.
"Getting Soft On Your IS Staff: 'It Ain't What It Used To Be'", D. Brockbank. (EMI, Vol 18, 3, p. 49) Thomas Stewart, a well-known columnist for Fortune Magazine sums up the shortage of IS professionals this way: "The Labor Department reports that unemployment among computer specialty workers is 1.7 percent, a figure so low that most of the 'unemployed' are probably just stuck in Palo Alto traffic en route to a higher paying job." What can you do to keep your staff intact?
"Hiring Hazards: Slackers, Wackos, Weirdos, and Criminals Need Not Apply", V. Van Gilson. (CPM, Vol 3, 8, p. 16) The success of your business continuity plan ultimately depends upon your employees. A comprehensive, evenly applied screening of each and every prospective employee can help assure that slackers, wackos, and criminals aren't putting your business in jeopardy.
"Human Factor in Disaster Recovery", D. Paulk. (DR Guide, 1998, p. 68) Suddenly, there is an explosion at your work site. Employees are frantic and disoriented. The media arrives within minutes, then the police and finally ambulances! When a crisis "hits the fan," there is an urgent need for swift and effective management action.
"Justifying the All-Mighty Training Dollar", L. Stevens. (EMI, Vol 18, 6, p. 12) With the explosion of new technologies in the data center, it's become more important than ever to keep your staff trained and up-to-date with these changes. But convincing your CEO to loosen the training budget purse strings can be challenging.
"Opening Up a Can of Worms?", C. Johnson. (SURV, Feb. 98, p. 16) Reputation can be ruined in an instant if there is a crisis of confidence.
"Security Strategies for Cargo Companies", J. Albrecht. (SM, Apr. 98) By instituting company policies on preemployment screening, loss reporting, and law enforcement liaisons, cargo companies can help cut their losses.
"Stress Reduction as a Mitigation Practice", A. Pomerantz. (DR Guide, 1998, p. 72) Stress has reached epidemic proportions in our society today, costing the US economy nearly 100 billion dollars from related illnesses and reduced productivity. In disaster response and recovery, stress is amplified.
"Stressed Out? You're Not Alone", T. Hansen. (EMI, Vol 18, 5, p. 47) With technology exploding, responsibilities changing, and pressures mounting, it's no wonder IS professionals are feeling more stress than ever before. Some people rely on exercise or relaxation techniques, others may escape for the weekend.
"The San Leandro Landslide: A Community's Response", D. Lunsford. (DRJ, Vol 11, 4, p. 14) The foundation that anchors city officials and elected officials to its community is the conviction of "doing the right thing"; giving back more than it receives, supporting and being supported, and embracing and being embraced.
"Violence, Drugs Take School Toll", B. Zalud. (SEC, Vol 35, 8, p. 22) When U.S. President Bill Clinton announced just weeks ago a comprehensive national school safety plan to help the nation's schools contend with student violence, the move came after a winter and spring filled with bloody incidents at grade, middle and high schools.
"When Evidence Is on the Line", R. Brayer. (SM, Feb. 98) Handwriting analysis can be a useful tool in investigating fraud and other crimes.

CRISIS COMMUNICATIONS & RESPONSE

"Building Your Team for Crisis Communications", A. Huff. (DR Guide, 1998, p. 76) Designing a team to skillfully communicate and respond in a crisis is one of the most important things you can do to safeguard your company's reputation and survival. The right crisis team members will ensure that your responses instill public confidence in your company, rather than cause irreparable damage.
"Burnt, But Back on Track", M. Fitzgibbon. (SURV, Feb. 98, p. 35) Bankstown Council in New South Wales has put a business continuity plan into place after a fire destroyed its civic centre.
"Command Performance", K. Hawkes, J. Neal. (SM, Nov. 98) Having a command center ready to respond to any emergency is critical to securing corporate headquarters.
"Cover Up or Open Up: Crisis Public Relations", K. Riddell. (DRJ, Vol 11, 2, p. 96) Community relations at times of organizational trouble pose new challenges for contingency planners.
"Disaster Planning: The Challenge Within", S. Lange. (RM, May, 98, p. 34) The sinking of the Titanic is just one of many examples demonstrating how excessive pride can defeat effective contingency planning. For risk managers, the first step in preparing for disasters is often overcoming the perception that the organization is invulnerable.
"First Response", R. Lopes. (DR Guide, 1998, p. 75) Every year emergencies take their toll on business and industry--in lives and dollars. When a crisis or emergency happens, someone must be in charge! Priorities must be established.
"In the Public Eye", C. Johnson. (SURV, Aug. 98, p. 38) The European Union aims for a meeting of minds between emergency services and the media.
"Increasing the Odds", (RM, Dec. 98, p. 32) Stan Smith helped save lives by providing his company's properties with state-of-the art medical equipment.
"The Incident Command System: A Tool for Business Recovery", B. Woodworth. (DR Guide, 1998, p. 83) In a recent fire that threatened a large Southern California company, a company official, who had been trained in ICS and understood how to size requirements, was able to provide the local fire department with the information required to dispatch the exact number of resources needed to effectively respond to the fire.
"The Power of Positive PR", B. Vouglas. (CPM, Vol 3, 1, p. 19) If the media believes there's a story, there's a story. So, be truthful and be accessible, because if you ignore reporters, they won't go away and neither will your crisis.
"The Temporary Organization for Emergency Response", K. Riddell. (DRJ, Vol 11, 4, p. 25) The development of effective life-saving response capacities within private industry is an important link in community-wide recovery from disaster.

RESOURCES

"1998 Anti-Virus Review", (SC, Vol 9, 1, p. 26) A comprehensive breakdown of 18 of the best antivirus products on the market. We ran them over 8 separate tests against over 11,000 viruses.
"1998 Consultant Survey", (DRJ, Vol 11, 1, p. 58) DRJ's recent survey of consultants offers up-to-date information for DR planners.
"1998: The Year of El Nino in the Southeast", J. Copenhaver. (DRJ, Vol 11, 3, p. 50) It began as a "warm spot" in the Pacific Ocean, and grew into a monster that spawned deadly weather events throughout the world. The 1997-98 El Nino will go down in the history books as one of the strongest such phenomena ever recorded.
"A Hospital Staves Off Security Ills", G. Parente. (SM, Sept. 98) Discover how the National Jewish Medical and Research Center's new access control system helps protect patients and research facilities.
"Airport Security: 10 Years After Lockerbie", K. Hodgson. (SEC, Vol 35, 12, p. 19) Ten years ago a terrorist bomb exploded on Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The event jump-started the airport security industry. Now, a decade later, things are anything but the status quo.
"An Analysis of Incident Response Teams", M. Lynch. (SM, Oct. 98) This study of incident response teams finds them effective in controlling current incidents but less reliable in stemming future violence.
"At the Mercy of Natural Forces", M. Poirier. (SURV, Feb. 98, p. 23) Canada's freeze has presented unexpected challenges to emergency planners.
"Business Continuity Lessons", (SURV, May 98, p. 20) Results of the first business continuity benchmark survey.
"Canada Moves Towards a Mitigation Strategy", J. Newton. (DRJ, Vol 11, 2, p. 36) Three years--three major disasters, and all of them north of the 49th parallel! Being prepared is still necessary, but not sufficient to cope with the increasing frequency of expensive disasters in Canada.
"Cash by Candlelight", C. Moffitt. (SURV, May 98, p. 37) How the banking industry dealt with Canada's worst ice storm in history.
"Casinos Face a Tough ID Challenge", A. Longmore-Etheridge. (SM, Apr. 98) This casino partnered with a biometrics company to help develop cutting-edge identification software for spotting criminals on the casino floor.
"Contingency Planning & Management/Ernst & Young LLP Survey Results Reveal BCP Solutions", B. Vouglas. (CPM, Vol 3, 4, p. 19) Our annual Business Continuity Planning Benchmark Survey sheds light on contingency planning predicaments and provides data you can use to evaluate your plan and to convince management of its current and future worth.
"D/R Plans Key to Business Survival During January Ice Storm", I. . (DRJ, Vol 11, 2, p. 46) Two Canadian companies are living proof that being prepared pays off. QL Systems Limited and Pictet had disaster recovery plans that got them back up and running, saving thousands of dollars in lost revenues.
"Delivering Mail Center Security", J. Moses. (SM, Feb. 98) By integrating access control, badging, CCTV, and other functions, the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Mail Center has pushed the envelope for security at Postal Service facilities.
"Drag and Drop", B. Ruyle. (SEC, Vol 35, 5, p. 48) The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) brought about many changes to the performance of life safety systems. But nowhere has that change been more profound than in the design and installation of power supplies for operation of these devices.
"Economy, Small Businesses, & Residents Suffer as Fires Blaze Through Florida", R. Arnold. (DRJ, Vol 11, 3, p. 56) Wildfires continued raging through Florida during July, devouring land, homes, and businesses. Businesses were closed and tourism, usually at its height during the Independence holiday, was virtually non-existent.
"Education, Training, and Certification Programs", J. Laye. (DR Guide, 1998, p. 35) Education and training are different. Training is knowledge specific, and is usually a program of linked courses. A good maxim is, "An educated person can train him/herself."
"Hallowed Halls", M. Simonelli. (CPM, Vol 3, 4, p. 24) CPM's first-ever Hall of Fame inductees know business continuity inside and out. Their answers to pressing industry questions reinforce their resumes and show what earned them a place in our hallowed Hall.
"Hurricane Georges: A Special Report", J. Nevola, M. Conry. (DRJ, Vol 11, 4, p. 44) Hurricane Georges wreaked havoc from the Carribean Islands to the Southeastern states of America. To date, 17 total recoveries were made by Comdisco, 31 clients were serviced by IBM, and 75 SunGard clients were placed on service alert.
"In Its Darkest Hour", A. Carlisle. (SURV, Aug. 98, p. 41) On February 20, 1998, the fourth of five main power transmission cables, supplying electricity to the central business district (CBD) of New Zealand's largest city, failed--leaving the area critically short of power for the next six weeks.
"Largest DR Conference Ever Features New Location, Events", J. Ballman. (DRJ, Vol 11, 4, p. 36) The largest gathering ever of disaster recovery professionals met at the Hyatt Orlando for DRJ's latest conference. Besides the new location, attendees were able to enjoy a variety of new features, events and attractions. These included a Mock Disaster Exercise, Cyber City Cafe, and additional general sessions.
"Learning from Experience", P. Bergee. (SURV, Feb. 98, p. 26) A real life disaster sets the scene for state-wide disaster testing.
"Managing the Mental Health Role in Disasters: An Alaska Experience", R. Hammaker, R. Hammaker, K. Brimner. (DRJ, Vol 11, 2, p. 16) In June of 1996, a wild fire near Big Lake, AK destroyed over 300 homes. A national disaster was declared. Mental health disaster counseling services had a critical role in the respones to the disaster
"Metal Detectors Add Shapes, Sizes, Features and Functions", (SEC, Vol 35, 8, p. 25) Not only are today's metal detectors performing increasingly specialized tasks, but some of them don't even look like metal detectors.
"Nashville Tornadoes Test Contingency Plans in Downtown Area", J. Ballman. (DRJ, Vol 11, 3, p. 19) When tornadoes touched down in Nashville on April 16, 1998, they left behind shattered businesses and homes and disrupted the lives of many who live and work in the area.
"Northern Plain States Flooded: Caterpillar Rental Power to the Rescue", K. Smith. (DRJ, Vol 11, 2, p. 59) After the relentless flooding of the Red River finally subsided late Spring of 1997, people of the Northern Plain states had only two thoughts.
"One Tornado's Destruction", D. . (DRJ, Vol 11, 2, p. 44) Sometime after 5 p.m. on Monday, April 13th, a small tornado touched down in the western section of St. Louis, MO. Although no lives were lost, the storm did cause minor personal injuries and major financial damage to the area businesses and residential homes.
"Rebuilding a Dream", (SURV, Aug. 98, p. 13) Disaster shattered the dreams of one young entrepreneur: a report on the effects of a terrorist bomb on a Haagen-Dazs outlet.
"Safe Stay Basic; Fire, Access, CCTV Play Roles", B. Zalud. (SEC, Vol 35, 3, p. 22) In late December, SECURITY Magazine surveyed 1,400 security professionals at hotels, resorts, casinos and entertainment complexes. With a 20 percent response, this report provides a definitive view of risks, prevention programs and security technology.
"Securing Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of History", D. McDaniel. (SM, Nov. 98) Colonial Williamsburg tells what it learned when flood waters threatened its collections.
"Southern States Victims of Tornadoes", D. Smith. (DRJ, Vol 11, 2, p. 54) Over the past few months, the media has been talking steadily about the recurring El Nino and its devastating consequences on the global climate.
"The Day the Earth Shook", M. Hooper. (SM, Mar. 98) This utility tells how it responded to a major earthquake.
"The Euro is on Its Way", (SURV, May 98, p. 15) The launch of the euro on May 2 did not go as smoothly as planned.
"The Power of Stakeholders In IS Continuity", A. Ramaprasad, P. Ambrose, M. Komarov. (DRJ, Vol 11, 4, p. 11) What is the power of stakeholders in the continuous operation of an information system? Following are the results of a web-based survey to benchmark stakeholders in IS continuity.
"Trial By Fire", J. Carpenter. (SM, May, 98) The violent shooting of three faculty members has taught San Diego State University security the importance of zero tolerance.
"When It Rains--It Freezes: Canadian Company Battles Northern Exposure", J. Eckles. (DRJ, Vol 11, 2, p. 34) Even by Canadian standards, the storms that kicked off the new year north of the border were particularly wicked, giving a new meaning to the old Bob Dylan lyric "a hard rain's a-gonna fall."
"When Security Means Business", D. Cogan. (SM, Sept. 98) This company installed electronic access controls and surveillance cameras because clients demanded better facility security as a condition of doing business.
"When the River Ran Wild", A. Graham. (SM, Mar. 98) When the floods came to Grand Forks, Ecolab's contingency plan ensured that the business stayed afloat.
"When Things Go Bad, Fast", (RM, Dec. 98, p. 20) When a tense political situation turned violent in Indonesia this spring, PT Renful Indonesia evacuated expatriate workers and their families on a moment's notice.
"Why 'Project Impact' Is Needed So Badly", C. Johnson. (SURV, Aug. 98, p. 24) Fires, floods and heatwaves have devastated America already this year.
"Working Together", P. Moore. (DR Guide, 1998, p. 14) As disaster recovery, emergency management and business continuity planning professionals strive to perform their jobs within the world's rapidly changing business and service environment, they face many challenges.
"Working Together", P. Moore. (SURV, Feb. 98, p. 29) The latest public and private partnerships recognize global connections.

YEAR 2000

"Building a Year 2000 Disaster Plan", P. Kirvan. (DR Guide, 1998, p. 51) Here are some items you can incorporate into a Y2K contingency plan.
"Cautionary Tale", (SURV, May 98, p. 23) Limiting the potential impact of non-compliance with a survival checklist.
"Contingency Planning for Year 2000", B. Sayers. (DRJ, Vol 11, 4, p. 34) Basically the problem is very simple to understand. In the 1960's and 1970's when computers were first emerging on the business scene, computer programmers had very limited system memory and capacity available to them.
"Cushioning the Blow", T. Glasson. (SURV, May 98, p. 24) Business continuity and the role it plays in preparing for the year 2000.
"Do You Still Need Convincing?", P. Kirvan. (SURV, May 98, p. 33) The US Federal Reserve Board Directives have something for everyone.
"Getting the Message Across", C. Johnson. (SURV, Aug. 98, p. 34) It seems at last companies are recognizing the need to prepare for the Millenium.
"Managing the Non-IT Year 2000 Environment", M. McCluhan. (EMI, Vol 18, 3, p. 45) IT projects for the Year 2000 initiative involve a process of locating and converting existing code, testing that code and migrating it into production. However, legacy systems is not the only area within the data center and the enterprise that we as managers must focus upon. There are non-IT issues relative to the Year 2000 and could be as dangerous if ignored as the more publicized legacy systems.
"Ready or Not…", K. Lautzenheiser. (SC, Vol 9, 10, p. 41) The millenium is just 15 months away. For many it is too late to avert disaster but Karen Lautzenheiser offers some last minute advice.
"The Party's Over Y2K: It's Here Now", (SC, Vol 9, 12, p. 18) The party's over. For many big businesses it's already too late to avoid disaster when midnight strikes on December 31, 1999. Some have been shrewd enough to sell up and hand over the problem to (possibly) unsuspecting buyers. As the date approaches, more bugs are starting to crawl out of the woodwork. Be prepared!
"The Sky is Falling", M. Braham. (DRJ, Vol 11, 2, p. 32) Of all the disasters President Clinton has had to declare during his tenure, he has yet to address the one which could be the largest disaster of all. There should be no doubt that he and other leaders in government and industry should consider the Year 2000 crisis a disaster of epidemic proportions and take the appropriate measures to avert it.
"Tick! Tick! Tick!", M. Davis. (CPM, Vol 3, 7, p. 22) With the Year 2000 just around the corner, companies in the process of implementing fixes may find themselves beset with more problems than solutions.
"Too Little, Too Late?", (SURV, May 98, p. 27) Are UK Government's moves to raise awareness of the millenium too little too late?
"Working Against the Clock", C. Swadron. (SURV, May 98, p. 28) Step by step processes used by CIBC to prepare for year 2000.
"Year 2000 File Aging", I. Stewart. (DRJ, Vol 11, 4, p. 20) Many words have already been written about the so called millenium bug. Probably many more will also be written prior to January 1, 2000. So why am I adding to the number when surely we would all be better off rolling our collective sleeves up and getting down to fixing the problem while there is still some time left? After all it is essentially a very simple problem - too few digits in the year - so why all this talk?
"Year 2000 Solutions", (SC, Vol 9, 7, p. 42) The clock ticks inexorably on. Will your computers make it into the next century? SC Magazine reviews seven products that can help you answer the question.
"Year 2000: The Seventh Wave?", J. Newton, R. Pattison. (DRJ, Vol 11, 4, p. 26) As this article goes to press it is unlikely that anyone in the civilized world is unaware that there are potential computer problems that may manifest themselves on January 1st, 2000. Opinions vary dramatically as to exactly what the threat is and how widespread it will be.