For companies in technology or communication fields, business interruptions such as power failures or computer

virus infections can qualify as disasters, said Joe Escaba, principal architect and sales engineering director for Fairfax, Va.-based mindSHIFT Technologies.

Such companies have to balance how fast they want to get running again with how much they''re willing to pay for backup services.

In general, Escaba finds many company executives assume data backups are being done regularly when in fact the process has been left to lapse. "I''ll go in and the backup tapes will be sitting on top of the servers," he said.

Frank Selamie, president of CTSi Consulting & Testing Services Inc. in North Brunswick, attended the seminar to get a global view of disaster preparedness.

Selamie''s environmental consulting business often takes calls from clients rebounding from disasters. Many voice a common regret: writing up a disaster plan but never testing it.

"The major problem they''ve had is not being able to contain the disaster and restart their business in a timely fashion," he said.

Copyright 2008 The Record
The Record (Hackensack, New Jersey)

 

Disaster preparedness tips for businesses from Solano County (CA) Office of Emergency Services

• Do a risk assessment yourself or hire a professional.
  
• Educate yourself on what disasters are common in the area.
  
• Carefully assess how your company functions internally and externally to determine which staff, materials, procedures and equipment are necessary to keep the business operating.
• Form a management emergency team from among those best suited to creating an emergency plan, including co-workers from all levels.
• Consider a broad cross-section of people and focus on those with expertise vital to daily business functions.
  
• Make a list of important customers and proactively plan ways to serve them during and after a disaster.
  
• Create an emergency plan for employees - two-way communications are essential before, during and after a disaster to protect your employees and colleagues - your most important and valuable assets.
  
• Consider setting up a phone tree.
  
• Assemble a disaster supply kit for your business.
  
• Think first about the survival basics like water, food, clean air and warmth.
  
• Depending on the nature of the disaster and your particular circumstances, the first important decision after an incident is whether to shelter in place or evacuate.

Source:

Paula Toynbee, Solano County Sheriff''s Office