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Many of us fear the possibility of a terrorist attack… and assume that such an event will occur. And we have to prepare for such an attack, even though we have no idea what form it might take, or where or when it would happen. The articles below may be helpful to you as you assess your risk and develop your plans.

What can we learn from this summer's food scares? (Item #1) Companies should take a fresh look at terrorist risk assessment. (Item #2) Should terrorism threats drive business actions? (Item #3)

Bombs are a popular terrorist tool; here are some tips on dealing with bomb threats. (Item #4) The National Center for PTSD provides answers to some questions about the effects of terrorism. (Item #5) These fact sheets will answer some of your questions about four different types of terrorist attacks. (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 [email protected]

Best Regards,

Bob Mellinger
President
Attainium Corp

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 --

Articles

1. Of Tomatoes, Traceability, and Terrorism
This summer, we got a lesson in the difficulty the food industry has in tracing contamination by two common pathogenic bacteria. Terrorists, extortionists, Hollywood script writers, and other bad guys read and think about the news too. If the common bacteria Salmonella Saintpaul and Listeria monocytogenes can affect so many people when introduced into the food supply in a single plant or farm, who needs weaponized anthrax?
http://www.riskythinking.com/articles/article35.php

2. Terrorism foreseeability: no longer a crystal ball
In the past terrorism has been viewed as an event that could not have been anticipated. This is no longer the case. While terror attacks, in some cases, remain unpredictable due to the man-made nature of the event, there now exists enough available historical data related to actual terrorist attacks to meet a legal requirement for determining a standard of foreseeability.
http://www.continuitycentral.com/feature0587.htm

3. When Terrorism Targets Business
First and foremost, businesses have an unequivocal responsibility to safeguard the wellbeing of their employees. Companies must send two strong messages and stick to them. The first, and most important, is to go to all lengths to assure the well-being of people, to secure facilities, and to display visible signs of these increased measures. Any employee concerns should be heard and addressed. The second message should be a strong statement about business-as-usual.
http://www.smeal.psu.edu/news/latest-news/aug04/terror.html

4. Emergency Survival Program: Bomb Threats
Terrorists use violence or the threat of violence to advance their political, social, or religious goals. In recent years, bombing has been a popular weapon for terrorists around the world.
http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/oes/docs/ESP_2008_Jul.pdf

5. Frequently Asked Questions about the Effects of Mass Violence, Terrorism or Disaster
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about mass violence, disaster or terrorism including normal reactions, coping mechanisms, and how to help others and yourself.
http://www.ncptsd.va.gov/ncmain/ncdocs/fact_shts/fs_faq_disaster.html

6. Fact Sheets on Terrorist Attacks
The National Academies has prepared, in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security, fact sheets on four types of terrorist attacks. The fact sheets provide reliable, objective information, and they will be helpful to anyone looking for a clear explanation of the fundamentals of science, engineering, and health related to such attacks.
http://www.nae.edu/NAE/pubundcom.nsf/weblinks/CGOZ-642P3W?OpenDocument