If you have to use a chain saw during cleanup after a disaster, follow the saw’s instructions to be safe

disaster Recovery Planning Site Launched
Janco announced the launch of a new site that is focused on disaster recovery planning and business continuity planning. The marketing coordinator for Janco said, “Janco has a focus of what is new and what is required to successfully manage the IT and business functions of enterprises of all sizes. With the launch of www.disaster-recovery-planning.com site, Janco has rounded out its web site offering to present a newer crisper presentation of it disaster Recovery Planning / business Continuity Template.” In July, Janco released Version 4.4 of its disaster Recovery and business Continuity Template. Along with the generic metrics, the WORD template includes a definitions of compliance requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley, the Treadway Commission, and PCI DSS. This electronic document is over 198 pages and can be used in the creation of a unique disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) and business Continuity plan (BCP) for any entity. In the process of creating DRPs and BCPs for organizations across the country, Janco has found every department, in every corporation or organization needs a universal, yet comprehensive DRP and BCP to safeguard the use of their computers and all related equipment and information which support enterprise wide operations in the event of a disaster. The Janco disaster Recovery and business Continuity Template provides clear examples of how to create a DRP/BCP for any organizations. It is a model any sized organization can use. It is comprehensive without being wordy or pedantic. The process created is concise and easily understood by all employees. The template has checklists and examples of what is needed to get systems and networks back in working order quickly. Janco’s work with clients who have suffered fires, earthquakes, floods, tornados, hurricanes and other disasters has been used in creation of this inexpensive template. The template is the blueprint that can be used by any organization. Janco manages several web sites and RSS feeds. The web sites include: www.e-janco.com, www.itproductivity.com, www.ejobdescription.som, and www.it-toolkits.com.

PSA: Staying Safe Around Dogs After a disaster
Dogs can be scared and stressed after a natural disaster and may be more likely to bite or scratch their owners or other people

Daycare and Church Damaged
This is the church next to it’s day care center (filled with children) that was in the tornado’s path. The Northwest Florida Chapter Chair joined a caseworker on a tour of the neighborhood. The Red Cross had two feeding trucks at the site with tarps, clean up kits, and snacks for the parishioners and volunteers […]

PSA: Staying Safe Around Buildings Damaged by a disaster
Stay away from damaged buildings until building inspectors say it is safe to enter

PSA: Preparing for a Hurricane
If you’re under a hurricane watch or warning, you should take important steps to prepare for the storm

Back-up Tapes Source of Security Breach
  Lost Back-up Tapes Put an Enterprise at a High Risk (Computerworld) — The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. has notified about 237,000 policy holders of a potential compromise of their personal data. The warning followed the loss of three backup tapes containing the names, addresses, Social Security numbers and drivers license numbers of customers of the company’s personnel lines claims center. So far, there is no evidence that the tapes were stolen or that the information has been misused, a company spokeswoman said. Hartford Financial Services has no idea if the tapes were misplaced while in transit to another location or if they went missing inside the company. But the information contained on them could only be read with the use of sophisticated and expensive equipment, she added. The Hartford breach is similar to scores of others in recent years involving the loss or theft of computers and media containing sensitive personal data. Security analysts have recommended that companies use encryption to mitigate potential data loss in such situations. Many companies that have been reluctant to do so because of cost concerns end up paying significantly more in notification and other costs when a breach occurs, analysts have previously noted.  

PSA: Dealing With Violent Situations After a disaster
If you see a violent situation, figure out the safest way to intervene

Fast Facts Update
As of 7:30 p.m. CDT, the updated statistics available for the Pensacola tornado relief operation from the American Red Cross 33 percent of damage assessment has been completed with the following numbers: Escambia County Two homes destroyed 10 homes with major damage 19 homes with minor damage In Santa Rosa County Two homes destroyed In Okaloosa County One home […]

ISO 17799 Template Released
The Security Manual for the Internet and Information Technology is over 200 pages in length.  The template is compliant with ISO 17799, Sarbanes-Oxley, Patriot Act and HIPAA. All versions of the Security Manual template include both the business & IT Impact Questionnaire and the Threat & Vulnerability Assessment Tool (both were redesigned to address Sarbanes Oxley compliance).   In addition, the