Disaster Due Diligence March 20, 2009

National security

HEADLINE: Several Hearings Highlight Persistent Threat of Terrorism

SUMMARY: Among findings revealed in recent hearings on the continuing threat of terrorism, included are the private sector has a role in protecting infrastructure, such as the hotels hit in the Mumbai attacks.

STORY LINK: http://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20090312/pl_cq_politics/politics3072777

ANALYSIS: It is easy to feel that if it did not happen to me or happen here, then you are safe. I have stayed in the Taj Hotel in Mumbai. It was a fabulous hotel. I felt safe. The terror attack in India could have been New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta or Dallas. Hotels, convention centers, sporting events, malls and restaurants are not armed camps. We do not live in a military state. People come and go. Cars are not checked. Briefcases are not opened.

Before 9/11 airport security was not a decision you considered in making a trip to another city. But 9/11 put America on notice. The events in Mumbai place the hospitality and retail industries on notice.  

-- Jim Satterfield, Firestorm President/COO

Personal safety

HEADLINE: Why shooting rampages aren't big news anymore

SUMMARY: A columnist for the Calgary Herald puts the coverage of the recent shootings in Alabama and Germany in perspective. The difference in public attention from Columbine 10 years ago is striking. What has changed? Sadly, the massacres that happened last week are no longer novel.

STORY LINK: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/shooting+rampages+aren+news+anymore/1405004/story.html

ANALYSIS: Prior to Columbine, this type of targeted violence was not a factor in our culture nor was it prevalent overseas.  Since those attacks, however, incidents of this nature have been occurring at an alarming frequency each year in schools, churches, the work place and other venues.  Unfortunately, we have not responded as a nation and society to truly examine the underlying issues of targeted violence and establish a methodology and process that will help in actually preventing an attack from occurring.

Our solutions during the past 10 years have been to develop response procedures and protective protocols designed to limit casualties and loss of life during these attacks.  In Germany, the school's "lockdown" protocols and immediate police response were credited with saving additional lives and limiting casualties.  However, 15 people still lost their lives.

All of our improved security methods have been designed to limit casualties and loss of life.  We still have not however taken seriously the process of fully examining the phenomena of targeted violence and developing a process and protocols that can be established in any organization to actually prevent an attack from occurring.

-- The preceding excerpt was taken from the EnrightSecurityBlog by Firestorm Expert Council member John J. Enright. You can read the entire entry at http://www.enrightassociates.com/EnrightSecurityBlog.html

Natural disaster

HEADLINE: Tornadoes in 2009: storm preparedness

SUMMARY: The national tornado total so far for 2009 is below the average of the past five years. Texas has recorded three tornadoes to date compared with eight last year at this time. While experts are predicting a lower tornado total for this season, they still urge Americans to have a plan in place for hazardous weather conditions.

STORY LINK: http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GWYE_enUS247US247&q=Tornadoes+in+2009%3b+storm+preparedness

ANALYSIS: The worst disaster is the one that happens to you, your family, or your business. While forecasts are down for tornadoes, you could be the unfortunate target. In 2008 and we experienced tornadoes in every month. To date, 2009 has followed the same pattern. Weather patterns follow cycles and varying periods of intensity. While lower totals for 2009 are positive, they still are above earlier years. Predict. Plan. Perform. remains an imperative.

-- Jim Satterfield, Firestorm President/COO

Data securit

HEADLINE: Job applicants especially susceptible to identity theft

SUMMARY: The Identity Theft Resource Center warns that job applicants must exercise caution when sending resumes to potential employers. Job applicants are especially vulnerable to identity theft, the fastest-growing crime in the world, as their resumes often contain personal information.

STORY LINK: http://hsdailywire.com/single.php?id=7563

ANALYSIS: There never has been, nor will there ever be, a legitimate need to include any non-public personal information about yourself, your interests or your family in a resume or CV that you are providing cold to a potential employer. This is especially true if the document is being sent electronically, because -- as this article points out -- you never know where it might end up.

The only time you should provide any form of non-public information to a potential employer is after you have entered into a formal (face-to-face) interview process.  If your potential employer insists otherwise, go elsewhere and find an opportunity for employment that does not put you at risk for identity theft.

-- Bill Spernow, Firestorm Expert Council member