Crisis simulation scenarios provide at least two important services – First, it provides a plausible starting point or setting for the exercise participants to examine particular challenges as well as responses to a crisis (e.g., hurricane, flooding, earthquake, explosion, cyber attack, workplace violence, contaminated products, etc.). One of he chief challenges in scenario development…
Ten years ago, Secretary Mike Leavitt of the Department of Health and Human Services said, “Some will say that the discussions of the Avian Flu was an overreaction. Some may say, ‘Did we cry wolf?’ The reality is that if the H5N1 virus does not trigger pandemic flu, there will be another virus that will.”…
A critical component to a holistic approach to cybersecurity is conducting a penetration test, or pen test, to evaluate computer system, network, or web application vulnerabilities that could be exploited by a hacker. The first question to consider when you conduct a pen test – what is the goal? Is it to satisfy compliance…
Does your organization have “silo mentality”? A Common Scenario: Facility: We manage our own emergency program and don’t need help from the corporate office Corporate: How will you respond to an emergency? Facility: We have a plan for that. Corporate: What does the plan state you will say to the media? Facility: That’s your…
This is a common list of things we do throughout the tabletop exercise engagement. During this process we will: Assist in the refinement of exercise objectives in coordination with your organizations exercise coordinator Tailor the scenario to address stated exercise objectives Develop an overview of the scenario story line (a start, middle and…
Recently I was running a hurricane drill for a client in the Caribbean and they were inspecting their campus to see what debris needed to be removed. Each year, as part of the drill, we look for things that could ‘float or fly’ during a hurricane and make plans for proper storage or disposal. This…
Description: Organizations need to fully understand the risks to their Asset’s and the possible outcomes for if their Asset were compromised. Only once you can fully appreciate the risks and threats facing your Asset, can you then plan on how to best protect them. Innovative security design does not need to cost the world, and…
This interview is with Chris Reagan the Chief Executive Officer at Cerastes Ltd out of the UK. Rob and Chris discuss preparing organizations to for physical and digital threats through better security practices, how hostiles prepare to attack and the surveillance methods they use.
In a crisis situation, speed of the operational response and clarity of initial communications, both internal and external, are essential. A Crisis Preparedness Plan provides a structure and process that coordinates all levels of the organization and puts the company back on the path to full recovery as quickly as possible. Here are six…
A Three-Year Crisis Simulation Exercise Program That Validates Preparedness is an Approach Every Organization Should Take Does your organization just “check the box” when it comes to conducting crisis simulation exercises? Do you really understand the true value of conducting effective simulation exercises? Do you take the annual “one off” approach, or are your…