Be Prepared for a disaster

Disasters disrupt hundreds of thousands of lives every year.

Each disaster has lasting effects, both to people, businesses, and property.

 43% of U.S. companies never reopen after a disaster - and 29% more close within 3 years (U.S. National Fire Protection Agency) 20% of small to medium size businesses suffer a major disaster every five years (Richmond House Group) 93% of companies that suffer a significant data loss are out of business within 5 years (U.S. Bureau of Labor) Disgruntled employees are the largest and single most damaging source of risk (National Computer Security Association)

 You should know how to respond to severe weather or any disaster that could occur in your areahurricanes, earthquakes, extreme cold, flooding, or terrorism.

Develop Your Plan Now!

Ensure that procedures added to your plans have the requisite details as to the who, what, where, when, and how

Personnel

Who What Where When How

Actions

Resources

Define Your Recovery Time Objective

Define your recovery timeline (RTO). As you test your plan, measure your actual recovery time to your RTO

Determine When to Declare

Identify your Disaster Declaration Decision Point. It ensures that a disaster decision occurs in sufficient time to allow for timely recovery particularly if travel and logistics will be required. Failure to make a decision is a decision to extend the Recovery Time

Take Advantage of Support From Dont forget to take advantage of other departments
within the company who can provide support within their area of expertise
Public Relations

Coordinate prepared statements Internal customers External customers News Media -- Investors -- Staff Assist or conduct news media briefings

Human Resources

Manage next-of-kin notification Monitor work environment Temporary modifications to personnel policies Coordinate additional or temporary staffing

Take Advantage of Support From Facilities

Assess damage and estimate time to repair Structural -- Utilities -- Environmental Provide temporary mechanicals Rent replacement office space

Safety & Security

Initial Incident Management Emergency response coordination Coordinate with civil authorities Secure damaged & alternate facilities Coordinate investigation activities

Take Advantage of Support From

Purchasing

Recovery resource procurements Assist technical procurements Negotiate emergency service contracts

Finance

Approve incident related expenditures Petty cash / travel expenses Implement short term financial controls Track expenses -- Provide audit trail

As your environment changes, assess the impact on your recovery strategy and record those changes in your plan