Attainium Business Continuity NewsBriefs

Terrorism isn't necessarily top-of-mind when no terrorist activity has been in the news, but we can't forget how important it is to keep our preparations updated. Many businesses today are developing and improving their business continuity plans, and terrorism response should be a part of those activities. The articles below discuss various aspects of terrorism and can help you address terrorism response.

Here's a common sense approach for preparing for a terrorist bombing. (Item #1) Packages and letters could be delivery mechanisms for bombs. (Item #2) Traumatic events have an impact on everyone� how do you cope? (Item #3)

Just what is considered to be cyber terrorism? What would the impact be? (Item #4) American businesses still have a long way to go in preparing to face the threats of terrorism. (Item #5) History suggests that there may be many more psychological victims than physical victims in a terrorist attack. (Item #6)

As always, we look forward to hearing about your concerns with regards to business continuity. If you have a topic you'd like to see covered, please email me at bmellinger@attainium.net

Quote of the Week

"Fighting terrorism is like being a goalkeeper. You can make a hundred brilliant saves but the only shot that people remember is the one that gets past you."
- Paul Wilkinson -

1. Preparing for a Terrorist Bombing: A Common Sense Approach
According to the U. S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, bombings accounted for nearly 70 percent of all terrorist attacks in the U.S. and its territories between 1980 and 20011. This document focuses on common sense principles that will be useful in a bombing event.
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/masscasualties/preparingterroristbombing.asp

2. Suspicious Packages and Letters
Be wary of suspicious packages and letters. They can contain explosives, chemical or biological agents. Be particularly cautious at your place of employment.
http://www.fema.gov/hazard/terrorism/exp/exp_parcels.shtm

3. Coping with a Traumatic Event
Traumatic events are marked by a sense of horror, helplessness, serious injury, or the threat of serious injury or death. Traumatic events affect survivors, rescue workers, and the friends and relatives of victims who have been involved. They may also have an impact on people who have seen the event either firsthand or on television.
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/masscasualties/copingpub.asp

4. Cyber Terrorism
Business, government and industry have all become addicted to information. Their reliance on information creates opportunities for terrorism. Imagine a day without the Internet.
http://www.directionsmag.com/article.php?article_id=432&trv=1

5. It's time to stop the excuses
While the largest of the Fortune 500 companies are more prepared than others, the truth is that medium and small businesses have just as much at stake in this war on terrorism but are not nearly as well prepared.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature0121.htm

6. After The Attack: The Psychological Consequences Of Terrorism
This may be true for a conventional attack, such as the use of hijacked aircraft to destroy high-occupancy buildings: while the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon resulted in thousands of deaths and physical injuries, the psychological casualties numbered in the tens to hundreds of thousands.
http://bcsia.ksg.harvard.edu/BCSIA_content/documents/After_the_Attack.pdf