| Disasters happen, whether your ready for them | | | | your company only writes a plan for the |
| or not. By why not be prepared? The | | | | computers and people, and all your files are lost, |
| Department of Homeland Security had a | | | | will you still be able to function until you could |
| conference in November 2009 to discuss PS-Prep, | | | | possibly recover them? You also need to keep in |
| the ability for an organization to recover when a | | | | mind, you might have to recover without some |
| disaster disrupts their normal business. The | | | | applications being online ie: if your internet site is |
| outcome of that meeting were three major | | | | down, can you still work and function, and will the |
| standards on PS-Prep (Private Sector | | | | cost be greater to your company because of it? |
| Preparedness). Those standards include: ASIS | | | | Be prepared, make sure your clients, contacts |
| SPC-1:2009 Organizational Resilience: Security | | | | and vendors information is secure, no matter |
| Preparedness, and Continuity Management | | | | what. With the loss of that information your |
| Systems, BS 25999-2:2007 Business Continuity | | | | business may never fully recover from a potential |
| Management, and NFPA 1600:2007 Standard on | | | | disaster, there are internet sites that offer data |
| Disaster/Emergency Management and Business | | | | backup, and you can also print out all your contact |
| Continuity Programs. The PS-Prep program is | | | | information but you still have the possibility of |
| simply business continuity at its best, with | | | | losing it all, so be prepared in case of that |
| standards approved by the DHS, also known as | | | | happening. Make sure you make relationships and |
| the Department of Homeland Security. | | | | establish connections to help restore your |
| Private Sector Preparedness simply is the ease | | | | business in case of the loss of information. |
| that a company will have returning to normal | | | | You're not the only one who needs to understand |
| business in the event of a man made or natural | | | | your companies business continuity. You need to |
| disaster. PS-Prep or a BCP (Business Continuity | | | | make sure that your employees also understand |
| Plan) gives a structure to returning to business | | | | your specific plan and are knowledgeable enough |
| procedures when unforeseen events occur and | | | | that in the event of your incapability to continue, |
| disrupt your companies operations. The BCP or | | | | they know what procedures and plans are in |
| PS-Prep plan should detail any operation you need | | | | affect. Also make sure you have a backup |
| to continue in order for your business to survive, | | | | energy source, such as a fuel tank on site, or a |
| regardless of the problem. If detailed properly, in | | | | backup generator, or even a solar field, depending |
| the case of a disaster occurring your business will | | | | on preference. In the event that disaster does |
| have an opportunity to keep going, with few | | | | happen you don't want to be caught without |
| problems, until your business can return to normal. | | | | energy, or a plan. |
| The key players in your company, workers, | | | | Building a PS-Prep plan is easier than organizations |
| computers, or files, must be organized from the | | | | think, you just need the right tools and persons to |
| most important to retain to the least in order to | | | | apply a good one to your company. |
| create a well thought out BCP. if for example | | | | |