This October is the 15th observation of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, an initiative to raise awareness of the importance of cybersecurity. The theme for 2018 is "Cybersecurity is our shared responsibility and we all must work together to improve our Nation's cybersecurity." These articles focus on the five Cybersecurity Framework Function areas: identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover.
National Fire Prevention Week has been observed since 1922 in the week in which Oct. 9 falls to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred Oct. 8-10 and killed more than 300 people. October also is National Fire Prevention Month. Each year at this time we like to focus on fire safety, prevention, and preparedness. Take a look at these articles to see how to prepare and stay safe at work and at home. Don't take your safety for granted.
Every event or meeting is both an opportunity for success and a possible potential for failure; you just never know what might happen. Planning can help ensure success or, at least, help deal with disasters to avoid catastrophe. These articles identify many possible pitfalls and ways to overcome them.
Statistically speaking, as you read this, you could become the victim of a data breach or cyber attack. We hope that is not the case. But, given the prevalence of such attacks, you should certainly have a plan of how to deal with one should an attack happen. If you have been hacked, you might want to read Item #6. If not, the other articles could be helpful to you.
Workplaces are good targets for terrorism. There may be activities or policies that prompt terror attacks, but sometimes workplaces are chosen as targets simply because many people are there. And sometimes the terrorist is an insider about whom nobody saw suspicious behavior. Regardless of the causes or actors, there are things you can do to mitigate your risk or prevent terrorist attacks and to learn how to recognize potential problems and deal with people afterward. These articles provide some help.
It would be wonderful if we could solve all problems in the workplace before they occur, but this is not likely to happen. What we can do, however, is pay attention to the issues that may arise and learn how to mitigate or avoid them. That's what these articles attempt to help us with.
September will be the 14th annual National Preparedness Month. This year's theme is "Disasters Happen. Prepare Now. Learn How." Having a plan for dealing with disasters is the most important thing, and these articles can help you focus on ways to prepare your business, your employees, and everyone's families for various disasters and situations.
I don't think anyone would argue against the fact that reputation matters. But we may not be aware of how much it matters and how important it is to understand and keep control of corporate reputation. A tarnished reputation can make it difficult not just to get clients or customers, but it will make it harder to attract and keep good employees. The bottom line is that a tarnished reputation will impact your bottom line; you need to keep it polished.
