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One definition of terrorism says that it is the difference between being prepared and being panicked. If so, then it's important to make sure that preparations are in place or underway to ensure that your organization and its employees make it through any terrorist action. Are you prepared?

Another major terrorist attack in the US may take critical systems off-line for days, weeks, or even months, damaging or destroying otherwise robust companies whose operational continuity was not supported by strong preparedness systems. (Item #1) Is risk management a factor in countering terrorist threats? (Item #2) Ready.gov offers some steps to take for continuity of operations. (Item #3)

What's the long-term answer to terrorism insurance? (Item #4) Learn about protecting your business from terrorist activities and threats, and what you can do to make the work place safe. (Item #5) Learn how to deal with the challenges of managing employees under threat of terrorism. (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

Best Regards,

Bob Mellinger
President
Attainium Corp

Quote of the Week

"Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little."
- Edmund Burke -

Articles

1. Counter-Terrorism Preparedness: Business Continuity in an Uncertain World
It is troubling that despite the trauma that the US economy experienced following the events of September 11, counter-terrorism preparedness remains relatively low on corporate America's list of priorities. Companies are generally complacent about dealing with the threat of a terrorist attack, putting preparedness planning on hold.
http://www.edwardsinformation.com/articles/Counter-Terrorism.pdf

2. The Use of Risk Management Tools in Countering the Terrorist Threat
Risk Management (RM) may be more or less useful at some levels, in some areas and in some instances at combating terrorism in some forms and from some sources. It will never provide full security. Further, RM with hazard reduction will come at a cost. A cost/benefit analysis will in many cases point to inactivity with regard to hazard reduction as being the most appropriate form of response, in other cases the exercise will result in considerable expenditure being warranted.
http://www.metts.com.au/Counter-Terrorism-Phil.html

3. Plan to Stay in Business
How quickly your company can get back to business after a terrorist attack or tornado, fire or flood often depends on emergency planning done today. Start planning now to improve the likelihood that your company will survive and recover.
http://www.ready.gov/business/plan/planning.html

4. Terrorism Insurance - Long Term Solutions
Legislation must be passed well before the December 31, 2007 expiration of the Terrorism Risk Extension Act of 2005 because insurance companies are evaluating policy renewals now. The inclusion of nuclear, biological, chemical and radiological attacks (NBCR) must be addressed in legislation. Attacks of this magnitude cannot be absorbed by the insurance industry without federal participation.
http://www.pianet.com/doc/TerrorismInsurance-2007PIAPositionPaper.pdf

5. Protecting Your Business from Terrorism
There are many ways you can protect your organization, the employees, and your customers/members. After the 9-11 attacks a review by the 9-11 Commission of the Policy Guidelines (from the National Fire Protection Agency) of managing during terrorism and the ability of the businesses to carry on after terrorism attacks was approved as the national standard for the United States. This article offers some good ideas.
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/19709/protecting_your_business_from_terrorism.html

6. Managing Employees during Wartime and Terrorism
Employees are caught between many emotions and divergent opinions - for or against the war, concerned about the safety of our troops, possibly worried about someone they now deployed in Iraq, concerned about business and investment effects of the war and terrorism. How do you manage in this situation.
http://www.executivecoachcollege.com/managing_employees_during_wartime_and_terrorism.htm