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ISSA-LA Member Luncheon Los Angeles

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 15:30:00 GMT

ISSA-LA Member Luncheon Los Angeles
Start Date: 21-Apr-10 11:30 AM
End Time: 21-Apr-10 1:00 PM
Speaker: Harry Rhulen

Stearns, Weaver Crisis Management Speech, Hollywood, Florida

Thu, 06 May 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Stearns, Weaver Crisis Management Speech, Hollywood, Florida
Start Date: 6-May-10 9:00 AM
End Time: 6-May-10 11:00 AM
Speaker: Suzanne Loughlin, Esq.

Risk assessment expert says prediction key to response

Meredith Kahan — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:00:00 GMT

Harry Rhulen, CEO of Firestorm Solutions, says drills are just one way that schools can be prepared for unfortunate incidents like the shooting that occurred at Deer Creek Middle School on Tuesday. story and video clip>>

8-Mar-10 4:00 PM

Firestorm Newsletter 5-Mar-10

Mike Pennetti — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:00:00 GMT

March 5, 2010

Risk management

HEADLINE: A More Dangerous World: Why we misunderstand risk.

SUMMARY: Most experts agree that we will see more frequent, severe and costly natural disasters – such as the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile -- in the coming years. Factors include climate change, the world's quickly growing population, a larger concentration of assets in high-risk areas, and its increasing social and economic interdependency. However, best mitigating the human and financial toll requires overcoming persistent disaster denial.

STORY LINK: http://www.newsweek.com/id/233838

ANALYSIS: Disaster Denial is the largest reason individuals and companies fail to plan. Everyone has good intentions; yet they believe disasters are something that happens to someone else. Most overestimate their response capabilities and minimize impacts. Excuses abound: “It can’t happen here.” “It won’t be so bad.” “I am smarter than everyone else.”

Can you list the vulnerabilities and threats faced by your company? Can you quantify the likelihood of each and their impacts? How do you monitor these threats? Who is responsible for monitoring? What are the triggers to activate your plans? Do your employees know the plans? Do they know what to look for and do? Have the plans been tested? Are there critical supplies in place? Have you identified critical vendors? Have you reviewed their plans? What metrics have you used to evaluate their plans? Have you conducted a joint test with them? Do your employees have disaster plans at home?

If you are not sure of the answers to these questions, then the answer is no. Your plans can keep a disruption from becoming a disaster. Now is the time to do a self-assessment. Are you ready?

--Jim Satterfield, Firestorm COO/President

Campus safety

HEADLINE: Death threat ignites fear around campus

SUMMARY: Rutgers University is on alert after a death threat posted on a bathroom wall at the student center said “everybody in Hickman (Hall) will die.” Police searched the bags of everyone entering the building Tuesday, but some students stayed away from classes despite a campus-wide e-mail from the administration assuring them that all necessary precautions were being taken.

STORY LINK: http://www.dailytargum.com/news/death-threat-ignites-fear-around-campus-1.2176901

ANALYSIS: This web-based newsflash was able to reach out to thousands of students probably before the university had an opportunity to hear about it, never mind react to this potential nightmare.

“A death threat posted on a bathroom wall in the Rutgers Students Center on the College Avenue campus caused problems Tuesday morning for both police and students. The message, found on Monday, threatened that “everybody in Hickman will die.” Students did not know what to think of the message.”

This was the opening paragraph from the Targum daily publication. Overall, they did a good job not fanning panic. But the headline, well ….

I found myself asking questions like: Did this truly ignite fear? Has the recent history of campus violence ruined the psyche of the carefree student life of the past?

Student online publications and various other virtual soapboxes such as Twitter, Blogs, Facebook, etc. have the ability to pit their creative journalistic skills with catchy headlines against the views of an experienced professional with more maturity.

My overview of the situation differs slightly. Bathroom graffiti created some tense moments while the university and local law enforcement responded. The statement, “everybody in Hickman will die” was found on a wall. As a precautionary measure, security will be increased while an investigation continues.

It seems that Rutgers handled this minor situation well. The real question is, how do they regain the trust of the students? By including them in the training and drills to visibly demonstrate to the student body, regulatory agencies and the public, that the administration is prepared for an emergency or an evacuation.

But now we must ask, does the campus meet all the requirements of the Clery Act? Especially the important new operational and training regulations with an October 2010 deadline looming? Between downsizing and job description changes, it is no wonder that 70 percent of employees do not know what to do during an emergency and 80 percent of disaster plans have never been tested.

In a Psychology Today Online story entitled “Preventing Campus Attacks: University Threat Assessment Teams,” a group of professionals came to a couple of conclusions that we share:

· A “one-size-fits-all” program will not work.

· Teamwork from a collection of professionals is essential for success.

· As more apply best practices and training, they will become the benchmarks for the public and the law.

Firestorm looks to test the cohesion of all the existing policies so they work as a single plan, not as isolated ideas.

--Scott Watkowski, Firestorm franchise principal

Health security

HEADLINE: Why pay for health insurance when you can steal it?

SUMMARY: Experts say a different type of identity theft is on the rise — patients using someone else's name, Social Security number or insurance card to get health care and avoid having to pay the bills. Hospitals are scrambling to fight ID theft because of the nightmare it presents when one patient's medical chart gets exchanged for someone else's.

STORY LINK: http://www.wbur.org/npr/123977187

ANALYSIS: Using another’s identity to obtain free medical care may seem like an easy way to game the system, but it presents the very real danger of significant ramifications. Medical decisions are based on the individual’s history and diagnosis. The possibility exists that conditions documented in one medical record – items such as blood type, allergies, diabetes, or hypertension, for example – may indicate a course of action that would be harmful to the imposter. The unintended consequences of such subterfuge could be literally deadly.

Individual identification and insurance coverage information should be treated in the same careful manner as credit cards, driver’s licenses, and other sensitive documents. This includes keeping them in a safe place and immediately reporting lost or stolen items to the appropriate organizations. For healthcare providers, this also points to the need for precautions to validate the accuracy of information presented by patients and clients.

There are several practical ways to accomplish this task. One is to ask for a form of government-issued identification, as is required for air travel, in addition to insurance information. Another approach is to update and validate individual items of information within the record, such as home address, telephone number, or next of kin. This offers both the opportunity to verify identity and a mechanism for updating the chart on an incremental basis. There is a further role for direct care staff in ensuring the information recorded matches the individual. Significant discrepancies in terms of height, weight, eye color, or scars or other identifying marks can be indicators of identity theft and fraud. While it may seem intrusive or overbearing, the effort expended toward positive identification can prevent an adverse event such as an anaphylactic reaction, something for which no one wishes to bear responsibility.

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

Communicable illness

HEADLINE: Puerto Rico authorities declare dengue epidemic

SUMMARY: Officials on the Caribbean Island say cases of dengue fever, endemic to Puerto Rico, have exceeded the epidemic threshold for two weeks. Health Secretary Lorenzo Gonzalez asked that prevention measures be maximized to keep the mosquito-borne disease from spreading further, including avoiding areas with stagnant water and a general clean-up of likely breeding grounds.

STORY LINK: http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=353105&CategoryId=14092

ANALYSIS: Although dengue is naturally occurring in Puerto Rico, throughout the Caribbean, and globally in the tropics, this outbreak provides a reminder of the value of the Predict. Plan. Perform.™ model when traveling. Dengue fever is spread by mosquitoes. The World Health Organization (WHO), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and various travel medicine firms offer information regarding endemic disease threats. Knowing what exposures you may face allows for adequate preparation and protection. Persons traveling to these regions should employ protective clothing and insect repellent. Other mosquito control activities such as elimination of standing water and use of mosquito nets on beds when insects are present can minimize the risk of transmission.

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

HEADLINE: WHO confirms recent H5N1 cases in Vietnam, Egypt

SUMMARY: The World Health Organization confirmed eight H5N1 avian influenza cases, three from Vietnam and five from Egypt. The recent spate of human cases mirrors reports of several recent H5N1 poultry outbreaks in both countries. Veterinary experts have attributed Vietnam's recent spike in H5N1 outbreaks to illegal transport and processing of birds, especially in the weeks surrounding the Tet holiday, when demand for poultry is typically high.

STORY LINK: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/avianflu/news/mar0410avian.html

ANALYSIS: The recent cases of H5N1 are vivid reminders of nature’s ability to adapt and the potential for far more serious outcomes than have been witnessed with the H1N1 pandemic. In each of these new cases, the victim had close, direct contact with infected poultry. This is not uncommon in these cultures and would be highly unusual in the United States. Still, it must be noted that in Viet Nam fully half of those infected with H5N1 influenza have succumbed to that disease. Even in the face of an apparently subsiding outbreak, influenza is a threat not to be taken lightly. Immunization, awareness, and preventive measures such as cough etiquette and social distancing remain as valuable and necessary as ever.

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

Preparedness groups

Join Firestorm’s LinkedIn groups and help build a Culture of Preparedness for your family and organization:

DISASTER READY PEOPLE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1914314&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1898572&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

COMMUNICABLE ILLNESS: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1899278&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

SWINE FLU: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1921222&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

5-Mar-10 1:00 PM

Firestorm Newsletter 1-Mar-10

Meredith Test2 — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:02:45 GMT

June 4, 2008

Hello [firstname],

Welcome to the Firestorm newsletter of upcoming events, articles, jobs and more from our membership.

Stay up to date with our RSS feeds.

1-Mar-10 5:02 PM

Firestorm Newsletter 26-Feb-10

Mike Pennetti — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:00:00 GMT

February 26, 2010

Communicable illness

HEADLINE: Hospital-acquired infections lead to substantial loss in life, and waste billions

SUMMARY: In a study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers estimate that in 2006 there were 290,000 cases of hospital-acquired sepsis and 200,000 cases of hospital-acquired pneumonia. According to the study, 48,000 deaths could have been prevented and $8.1 billion dollars could have been saved in the United States if patients hadn't gotten infections after being admitted to a hospital.

STORY LINK: http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/02/23/hospital-acquired-infections-lead-to-substantial-loss-in-life-and-waste-billions/?hpt=Sbin

ANALYSIS: It is sad reality that hospitals are often sources of opportunistic infections. Despite aggressive infection control measures employed in healthcare institutions, the fact is that these facilities are gathering places for sick people. Workers, patients, and visitors are potentially exposed to diseases not normally faced in daily activity, often at a time when defenses are compromised.

This story holds applicability across the spectrum of health delivery and human services enterprises as well as to industries beyond healthcare. While the issue at hand is hospital-acquired infections, it could as easily be employee safety, operational continuity planning or disaster recovery. This broad relevance points to the practicality of the Predict. Plan. Perform.™ model. Rigorous risk analysis reveals vulnerabilities – for hospitals this lies in matters such as hand washing among staff, patients and visitors, establishment and adherence to effective procedures and protocols, and continuous review and process improvement. Identification and analysis of susceptibilities allows development of countermeasures or contingency plans. Practice and execution of those strategies increases performance and offers opportunities for subsequent predictions, planning and enhanced performance.

Every environment holds hidden threats, albeit not necessarily as dramatic as the risk of mortality. An effective assessment and action plan can save and preserve money, lives and the organization’s future.

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

HEADLINE: WHO to assess whether H1N1 has peaked within weeks

SUMMARY: The WHO's emergency committee decided on Tuesday that it was premature to declare that the H1N1 pandemic was past its worst. The WHO's top influenza expert said rising levels of infection in West Africa and the risk posed by the winter months in the Southern Hemisphere were the dominating concerns of the committee and urged people and governments not to let their guard down.

STORY LINK: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/22/20100224/tts-uk-flu-who-ca02f96.html

ANALYSIS: Although the current H1N1 pandemic appears to be subsiding, it would be premature to draw conclusions as to the future course of this outbreak. The most recent CDC status update reflects visits to physicians and deaths from influenza-like illness (ILI) have increased slightly over prior weeks, but the overall rates remain lower than could be expected for this time of year. At the same time, warmer weather in the Northern Hemisphere marks the beginning of colder days – and the flu season – in the Southern Hemisphere. It is also illustrative to observe that the 1918-19 pandemic lasted a total of 18 months. The current H1N1 outbreak is recorded as beginning in April 2009, only 10 months ago.

In essence, this replicates the situation from then, only with better options. It is still impossible to predict how the virus will behave: undergo resurgence or die out. Unlike last year, there is an effective and widely available vaccine. It is also likely that H1N1 will continue to be prevalent in the 2010-11 flu season. There is little reason not to remain aware of this lingering threat or to plan accordingly, including getting immunized.

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

Travel safety

HEADLINE: U.S. renews travel alert to Mexico

SUMMARY: Citing recent attacks, the State Department and U.S. Embassy have renewed the travel alert for certain areas in Mexico until Aug. 20. U.S. citizens are urged to “delay unnecessary travel to parts of Michoacan, Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua. More than 16,000 people have died in Mexico since President Felipe Calderon declared war on the drug cartels shortly after assuming office in December 2006. Some areas along the border continue to experience a rapid growth in crime, with robberies, homicides, petty thefts and carjackings increasing during the past year.

STORY LINK: http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/02/23/mexico.travel.warning/index.html?hpt=T2

ANALYSIS: Travel to Mexico creates a vision of excitement, beaches, history and fun. It also generates pictures of violence, drug cartels, shootouts and death. The pattern of violence has not changed to one of safety. The violence is real and has moved across the border to parts of the United States. Violence is a regular part of everyday life on both sides of the border.

We are all familiar with our hometowns. We know the good and bad areas of town. Unfortunately when we travel we do not know these areas in the travel locale. Even that knowledge alone may not be sufficient, as the robberies, violence, killings and kidnappings continue.

We check the weather every day before deciding what to wear when we go out. Unfortunately, we cannot easily check the violence level whether drug cartels on travel or workplace violence at home. Do you know what to look for? Can you recognize the signs? Do you know what to do? Predict. Plan. Perform.™

--Jim Satterfield, Firestorm COO/President

Supply chain

HEADLINE: Massive recalls: where is your supply chain vulnerable?

SUMMARY: The Toyota recall debacle ensures that manufacturers large and small will be scrutinizing supplier relationships like never before. With the possibility of key providers reporting misleading information about quality tests that could cause millions in damages, the trust between companies can be quickly eroded.

STORY LINK: http://www.industryweek.com/articles/massive_recalls_where_is_your_supply_chain_vulnerable_21112.aspx?SectionID=1

ANALYSIS: Do you know the fastest way to become a company worth a billion dollars? Start with a $100-billion company and mishandle a crisis. If we were to write a Hollywood script for a company and have the executives do as much wrong as quickly as possible, the Oscar would go to Toyota.

In a crisis, tell the truth. In a crisis, tell the truth early. If you are explaining why you didn’t, you are losing. If you made a mistake, admit it and announce your plan. Focus on the plan. Identify your three key messages to customers, employees and stakeholders.

What’s the truth for Toyota? What is their plan? What are the key messages? Unfortunately, none of us knows. Toyota is a global brand. The brand is impaired. There does not appear to be a cohesive plan to move forward.

What are the three key messages for your company now? What if you had a product recall, a loss of customer identity information, a workplace violence episode, fraud, stock manipulation, strike, labor unrest, scandal, regulatory investigation, insider trading, bankruptcy, fire, or another catastrophe? What are the messages for each of these crises? What are the internal and external communication methods? Who are your spokespeople? Have they been trained? Waiting until there is a crisis to start the planning, training, and exercises is a mistake from which a company may never recover. Are you ready? The threats are real. What are your vulnerabilities? What is your plan?

--Jim Satterfield, Firestorm COO/President

Cyber security

HEADLINE: Former DNI: If U.S. went to war today in a cyberwar, it would lose

SUMMARY: At a Senate hearing on cyber security, former Director of National Intelligence Michael McConnell warned that a cyberattack would be a “catastrophic event” to the U.S. “We’re the most vulnerable, we’re the most connected, we have the most to lose,’’ he said. Another expert called cyber espionage and cyber crime, “a major source of harm to national security.”

STORY LINK: http://homelandsecuritynewswire.com/former-dni-if-us-went-war-today-cyberwar-it-would-lose?page=0,0

ANALYSIS: Despite the Internet’s origins as a project sponsored by the Department of Defense, the way in which it has developed and grown has not always included the engineering of security and defenses into its operations. In fact, the entire freewheeling nature and openness of the Internet and the World Wide Web are major reasons for its incredible success.

As a longtime banker, I remember how concerned banks were with the startling explosion of technology which prompted Bill Gates to declare in 1994 that banks were dinosaurs. When the Internet became the next new delivery channel for banking services, everyone bolted on their 1970s and ‘80s era banking systems in order to compete. Then the teenagers started hacking into them.

The pervasiveness, technological capabilities and relative ease of access to the Internet prompted more and more core business systems to use its infrastructure. We deliver banking services but we also deliver medical services, control facilities and processes within those facilities, communicate voice and data, in short, everything that might have been on a proprietary system is now on the Internet and the potentially dangerous implications of that are finally being appreciated.

After the teenage hackers started cracking these systems primarily for bragging rights, the resulting embarrassing publicity spawned an entire industry of data and information security. Up went the walls, but the enemy kept building taller ladders.

Now we are engaged in a technological arms race, with the teenagers being replaced by organized crime, terrorists, and governments who wish us harm. So much of what we call our critical infrastructure is tied into the Internet and the bad guys go after us every hour of every day for profit, for harm, or for information to further their beliefs or political agenda.

McConnell and Borg are only highlighting the obvious, and providing the call to arms against the enemy. Firestorm talks about disaster denial all the time – it is our largest competitor. For the U.S. government and equally important, for the private sector at all levels, to believe we will not be subject to a threatening interruption of Internet services and the consequences is equivalent to thinking you will not have to deal with a hurricane while living in Louisiana.

-Ted Hansen, Director, Firestorm Expert Council

Preparedness groups

Join Firestorm’s LinkedIn groups and help build a Culture of Preparedness for your family and organization:

DISASTER READY PEOPLE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1914314&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1898572&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

COMMUNICABLE ILLNESS: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1899278&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

SWINE FLU: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1921222&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

26-Feb-10 2:00 PM

Firestorm Newsletter 19-Feb-10

Mike Pennetti — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:00:00 GMT

February 19, 2010

Workplace violence

HEADLINE: Officials: Texas plane crash targeted feds

SUMMARY: A Texas businessman upset with the Internal Revenue Service deliberately crashed his private plane into a multistory office building that houses federal tax employees, authorities said. The pilot was presumed to have died in the crash though his body had not been recovered. At least two people were seriously injured and a third person — a federal employee who worked in the building — was unaccounted for, fire officials said. Joseph Stack, 53, left a message on his company’s web site railing against the IRS and saying “violence is the only answer.’’

STORY LINK: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35460268/ns/us_news-life/

ANALYSIS: Along with the obvious advice to avoid putting your office space in proximity to a potential target such as an IRS facility, this incident put an exclamation point on a week that served to illustrate that you never know when a disaster can strike, or in what form.

This week we have had:

Numerous hospitals and other organizations exercising some part of their emergency plans because of the weather. Many never considered a snow plan.
Another example of workplace violence (the item below) where lots of signals were missed by the organization and law enforcement.
Iran fast tracking a nuclear showdown in the Middle East.
Continued hacking, showing our computer network vulnerability.
Visa having around 70,000 accounts compromised, which has not made the news yet. I know because I was one of the people hit and found out because I used to work for a bank and my friends inside told me what happened.
The Olympics’ opening ceremony being marred by protestors and technical glitches.

All of these events required back-up planning. The question is, who did well, who got burned and who just got lucky because the incident wasn’t more severe or last longer?

--Scott Watkowski, Firestorm franchise principal

HEADLINE: Students complained about prof charged in rampage

SUMMARY: The revelations continue in the case of the Alabama-Huntsville professor accused of killing three colleagues and wounding three others in a shooting rampage last week. Students told The Associated Press they complained to administrators at least three times a year ago regarding Amy Bishop’s bizarre behavior. Police have not revealed a motive in the shootings, but colleagues say she was vocal in her displeasure about being denied tenure. It has been revealed since the shooting that Bishop killed her brother with a shotgun in 1986 but was never charged because police said it was an accident, and that she and her husband were scrutinized in 1993 after someone sent pipe bombs to a Harvard professor with whom she worked. The bombs did not go off and no one was charged.

STORY LINK: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hf_Cw1b1x1DmRrdG4hiu4P55yZTgD9DU364G0

ANALYSIS: Workplace violence happens every day. It is a recognized hazard by OSHA, yet 70 percent of businesses have no plan, and 43 percent of threats and 24 percent of attacks go unreported.

This story mirrors many others. Most episodes of workplace violence are preceded by warning signs. Clearly, that is the case here. Every company must train employees and managers as to what to look for and actions to take. Waiting until an employee feels the only solution is bringing a gun to work is too late.

Behaviors escalate. The sooner that they are identified the easier they are to resolve and get help. Do you know what the signs are? Do you know who to contact? If your employees cannot answer these questions quickly, then you do not have an actionable plan.

--Jim Satterfield, Firestorm COO/President

Communicable illness

HEADLINE: H1N1 virus' death toll as high as 17,000, CDC estimates

SUMMARY: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says about 17,000 have died from H1N1 infection and the majority of victims were 18 to 64 years old. By contrast, of the approximately 36,000 people in the United States who die from seasonal flu each year, 90 percent are age 65 or older. According to the report released last Friday, about 57 million people have been infected with H1N1 and 257,000 cases resulted in hospitalizations. Health officials continue to urge people who haven't received a vaccination to do so.

STORY LINK: http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/12/h1n1.deaths/index.html?hpt=Sbin

ANALYSIS: There is a persistent perception that the H1N1 “swine flu” pandemic fizzled out; that warnings were overblown and the danger really never materialized. Yet the numbers tell another story concerning risk perception, prevention and pervasive “disaster denial.” Consider these numbers placed in a different context. The 17,000 lives is equivalent to the entire undergraduate population of Yale, Harvard, and Princeton combined. When added to the roughly 36,000 people who annually succumb to the seasonal strain, the United States will lose the equivalent of the entire population of Cheyenne, WY. to flu this year. The number of people who have died from H1N1 is nearly six times greater than the total casualty count of 9/11.

These comparisons are revealing, as they illuminate a curious willingness to assume risk and the inevitable adverse outcomes rather than undertake proven and prudent precautions; such as immunization in the case of influenza. This begs the question, then, concerning self, family, community, and business: Are you as prepared as you could be? As you should be? It is unlikely that anyone actually plans on being the victim of a disaster. Sadly, neither do we typically plan for NOT becoming a victim. In essence, failure to plan for survival charts a course to the contrary. The tools for creating a Culture of Preparedness exist; all they need is the will to be implemented.

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

Cyber security

HEADLINE: War game reveals U.S. lacks cyber-crisis skills

SUMMARY: A simulated cyber attack this week revealed the vulnerability of U.S. systems and lack of coordinated response capabilities between public and private entities. The Bipartisan Policy Center staged the war game to demonstrate how such an attack could be crippling to the country. Stewart Baker, a former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security who played the "cyber coordinator," said that the private sector – which owns 85 percent of the nation’s critical infrastructure --- was not prepared to defend against a cyber act of war and that the government needed to play a role.

STORY LINK: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/16/AR2010021605762.html?wpisrc=nl_headline

ANALYSIS: Dec. 7, 1941 is known as a “Day of Infamy.” You know where you were on 9/11. For years, America felt its oceans keep it safe. These examples showed that was no longer true.

We face another attack of equal proportions that could potentially have even greater impacts. Hackers used to be kids and cyber attacks were nuisances. Today, cyber attacks carry the potential to stop commerce, bring down power grids, block communications, stall transportation, and render critical infrastructure useless. These attacks could last for days or weeks -- not just a few hours.

Planning needs to address all vulnerabilities, identify monitoring, establish triggers, and have strategies to mitigate. Yes, a cyber attack is an IT concern. A cyber attack is also a Board of Directors concern for the impacts on company operations.

Google saw attacks this month. The power grid saw attacks last year. The attacks are real and expected. Are you ready? What is your plan?

--Jim Satterfield, Firestorm COO/President

HEADLINE: Broad new hacking attack detected

SUMMARY: A coordinated global attack by hackers in Europe and China successfully broke into computers at nearly 2,500 companies and government agencies over the last 18 months. The computer security company NetWitness discovered the breach, which exposed vast amounts of personal and corporate secrets, from credit-card numbers to intellectual property. In more than 100 cases, the hackers gained access to corporate servers that store data such as company files, databases and email.

STORY LINK: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704398804575071103834150536.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLTopStories

ANALYSIS: Here’s another story reporting thousands of computers infected with the latest and greatest malware. The numbers are certainly daunting, but in reality this so far represents a relatively small percentage of potential targets. It does serve, however, as a sharp reminder of just how sophisticated the tools of the “cyber bad-guys” have become and that anyone or any business that lets its guard down for even the briefest moment can be subject to significant consequences.

Interestingly, news commentary about this attack and how to defend against it is lacking typical uniformity. Some security gurus are claiming that standard and up-to-date security defenses protect against this so-called “Kneber botnet.’’ Other entirely credible sources, however, report that investigation has shown that up-to-date antivirus software has only been 23 percent effective in blocking this attack. About the only strategy that wins consistent agreement is that the best way to prevent this and other future attacks is to have a well-architected, multiple-strategy security approach.

Just as the Maginot Line turned out to be an ineffective defense strategy for France when the Germans simply went around it, one line of defense for computer attacks can show the same results. At a minimum, smart businesses monitor what is coming IN to their networks and desktop computers, what is already INSIDE, and what is going OUT. No one ever said running a business was fair, or easy.

--Al Kirkpatrick, Firestorm Chief Information Security Officer

Preparedness groups

Join Firestorm’s LinkedIn groups and help build a Culture of Preparedness for your family and organization:

DISASTER READY PEOPLE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1914314&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1898572&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

COMMUNICABLE ILLNESS: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1899278&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

SWINE FLU: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1921222&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

19-Feb-10 1:00 PM

Firestorm Newsletter 12-Feb-10

Kerry Coxworth — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:00:00 GMT

February 12, 2010

Public Law 110-53, Title IX

The Department of Homeland Security is implementing a certification program for the private sector. This program, labeled PS-Prep, is defined in Public Law 110-53, Section 524. Failure to comply with these regulations may have serious consequences for you and your company.

More information about Public Law 110-53 Title IX

Campus safety

HEADLINE: Changes to Clery Act impact emergency plans, require drills

SUMMARY: Regulations set to take effect in July will require institutions of higher learning to change the way they develop and publish their emergency plans, as well as how they report incidents. Schools will now be required to have an official, written emergency plan disclosed in their annual security report, including the procedures used to notify the campus community during an emergency. The new regulations also mandate that schools conduct at least one yearly drill designed to assess and evaluate their emergency response and evacuation procedures.

STORY LINK:http://www.securitydirectornews.com/?p=article&id=sd201002BecFru

ANALYSIS: After the shootings at Virginia Tech, many schools purchased text messaging systems. There was much discussion about active shooters; unfortunately, only lip service has been given to increase safety, emergency preparedness and continuity of operations at schools and colleges.

There has been little education (training) of students, faculty and administration, little to no testing of plans, and no evidenced commitment of boards and leadership to having executable plans in place.

Unfortunately, we will continue to have emergencies and tragic events on campuses across the country. The restructuring of the Clery Act is a good idea. Just providing statistics will no longer suffice; clear reporting on the level of preparedness will be required. Firestorm’s Preaction Index establishes a standard rating score to enable organizations to assess and compare their level of preparedness.

Do you know where your school ranks?

--Jim Satterfield, Firestorm President/COO

Communicable illness

HEADLINE: Swine flu still spreading, though at a reduced rate

SUMMARY: The likelihood of a third wave of pandemic H1N1 influenza seems to be declining, but authorities are concerned that the virus is still spreading rather than disappearing, federal officials said. "My sense is that we are not at all out of the woods because the virus continues to circulate," said Dr. Anne Schuchat, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. The statistic of most concern is the number of deaths from pneumonia and influenza, which has remained above normal for the third consecutive week, particularly among the elderly.

STORY LINK: http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-sci-swine-flu6-2010feb06,0,7559781.story

HEADLINE: Haiti hospital’s fight against TB falls to one man

SUMMARY: Even before last month’s devastating earthquake, Haiti suffered the worst tuberculosis rate in the Americas. Some health officials are worried that the lack of consistent availability of medication could lead to a drug-resistant form of the disease, which relief workers traveling in and out of the country might spread to other parts of the world.

STORY LINK: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/06/world/americas/06tuberculosis.html

ANALYSIS: At first glance, two stories addressing the relative inactivity of H1N1 domestically and the potential for an outbreak of TB in Haiti have little in common. In reality, they are two points not far apart along the same continuum. The fact that H1N1 appears to be in decline effectively removes it from the American psyche. It is "old news." The problem is, it has not gone away. This outbreak has been mercifully mild, while still killing more than 11,000 Americans. There is no guarantee that the current downward trend will continue. It is illustrative to note that the devastating 1918-19 pandemic ran an 18-month course. We are barely past the halfway mark in that scenario.　

At the same time, several media outlets have focused on the duress of the only TB sanitarium in Haiti, a facility that is largely destroyed and overrun with patients in the wake of the earthquake.　 Haiti sees 30,000 new tuberculosis cases a year. Treatable under normal circumstances, tuberculosis can be easily spread among populations living and working in crowded conditions – the very conditions faced by displaced persons and aid workers in Haiti. There is also the possibility that people whose homes were destroyed may have prematurely stopped taking their medications, which opens the door to the emergence of drug-resistant TB.

The link between the two stories is the need for planning -- planning for an event that is neither immediate nor obvious. Swine flu is out of the news, so why get immunized? Or have a workplace contingency plan? Earthquakes rarely happen in Haiti, or Illinois for that matter; except for the "Chicago Earthquake" of Feb. 10, 2010 (magnitude 3.8), one on April 18, 2008 (5.4), and multiple others reported over the years. Will you be prepared if H1N1 makes a dramatic and deadly resurgence?　

The issue is not to be prepared for absolutely everything that could ever happen, but to have practiced plans to deal with emergencies as they occur. This process starts with a risk assessment. Do you have plans in place if one-third of your staff were to fall ill or be unable to report to work? Does your family know what to do and where to go in the event of a tornado, terrorist attack or other calamity? There are hundreds of volunteers doing tremendous work in Haiti. Are plans in place to test them for TB upon their return to the U.S. or elsewhere? Prudent planning can be the difference between recovery and collapse. As Ben Franklin famously said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

Data security

HEADLINE: How to limit Twitter risks

SUMMARY: Twitter is now used by more than 350 million people worldwide, so cybercriminals see it and other social networking sites as a huge opportunity to make money through fraud. Although spammers, scammers and malware creators are the root of the problem, end-users of the service are equally dangerous because, ultimately, it is what they do with Twitter that counts. As usual, humans are the weakest link in the security chain.

STORY LINK: http://www.securitypark.co.uk/security_article264318.html

ANALYSIS: Twitter has become a roaring success, but like many Internet companies, that success attracts the attention of those looking to exploit unsuspecting users. It is interesting that this article points out that the risks associated with the use of Twitter has as much to do with social engineering and careless use of posted information as it does with the technology itself.

The same rules regarding all social networking sites apply here – don’t post anything you wouldn’t want your grandma to see. If you do not know who you are talking to, do not share information. And if you don’t like the company you work for, take out your frustrations in the gym, not with posts on the Internet.　

--Ted Hansen, Director, Firestorm Expert Council　

Economic crisis

HEADLINE: Desolate malls, empty offices may come soon

SUMMARY: A report by the Congressional Oversight Panel warns that defaults on commercial real estate loans could cost banks up to $300 billion in losses and litter cities with vacant stores and office complexes. The report says the defaults could lead to reduced lending and cause the eviction of families from rental properties. Bank failures also could contribute to job losses and hurt the economic recovery.

STORY LINK: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35343329/ns/business-real_estate/

ANALYSIS: When Firestorm talks about the five most common failures of business in a crisis, the control of critical supply chain is first. That usually brings to mind a prime supplier of raw material for a manufacturer, but money and credit are equally as critical. In fact, our news is filled daily with stories of small businesses unable to get loans from their bankers and the impact on their businesses. This article is all about a supply chain breakdown. There is a direct impact on the commercial real estate market for both borrowers and lenders, and indirectly for the customers of the banks that may not survive if the bank collapses. 　

Bank relationships are often forged over many years, but like marriages they sometimes end in divorce. Do all you can to save the marriage in the short-term. Access to credit for a business is critical, and while this is the worst of times to be looking hard at your banker, you must, especially if they are heavily involved in the real estate market. Many smaller banks that have financial difficulty are taken over by larger banks, but that does not mean you will like your new lender, or that they will like your business.

You will note that the most successful U.S. automaker at present is Ford. Anticipating the problems in the auto market, Ford leveraged up significantly to create a cash hoard to weather the storm.　 They are not beholden to the government like GM and Chrysler, and therefore control their own destiny. In that example is a very important lesson – Predict. Plan. Perform™　

As we like to say, if you had to respond today (in this case, to a severe credit crunch) are you ready?

--Ted Hansen, Director, Firestorm Expert Council　

　

Preparedness groups

Join Firestorm’s LinkedIn groups and help build a Culture of Preparedness for your family and organization:

DISASTER READY PEOPLE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1914314&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1898572&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

COMMUNICABLE ILLNESS: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1899278&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

SWINE FLU: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1921222&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

　

12-Feb-10 1:00 PM

Firestorm Newsletter 5-Feb-10

Mike Pennetti — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:00:00 GMT

February 5, 2010

National security

HEADLINE: Intelligence officials say al-Qaeda will try to attack U.S. in next 6 months

SUMMARY: The Obama administration's top intelligence officials this week termed the likelihood of an attempted al-Qaeda attack on the United States in the next six months as “certain,’’ and also warned of the increased sophistication and frequency of cyber-attacks from Chinese hackers. "Al-Qaeda maintains its intent to attack the homeland -- preferably with a large-scale operation that would cause mass casualties, harm the U.S. economy or both," said Director of National Intelligence, Dennis C. Blair.

STORY LINK: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/02/02/AR2010020203975.html?hpid=topnews

ANALYSIS: The recent headline should not be of any surprise, but more of a reminder that we need to stay vigilant on terror. We also should use this as a reminder of what terrorism can do to businesses. The incident does not have to affect your operation directly. Like many companies, your business disruption can become a business disaster.

Take a moment to consider your vulnerabilities: 85 percent of the country’s infrastructure is in the private sector. You should be asking yourself, is my business continuity plan going to work? Is it up to date? Does it address the new types of threats? Was the plan ever tested? When was the last time it was read (70 percent of employees do not know what to do in an emergency)? Is anyone in my critical supply chain at high risk? What are their plans? The fact is 55 percent of companies that experience a disaster are out of business within two years.

If terrorists attacked a couple of critical interstate bridges in your area, how would that affect you and your business? What if the Los Angeles and New York City ports got shut down for a couple of months? What if we experience conditions and confusion as in Haiti from a tornado, hurricane, earthquake, or fire? Terrorists are looking to attack softer targets that can create economic disruptions and instill fear in the public.

Start 2010 with a review of your security measures and your overall business continuity plans. To do your part helping to thwart terrorism, and instill overall good business practices, consider some of the following points:

· Identify your critical vendors and ask about their business continuity plans.

· Develop a crisis communication plan in the event you have a workplace violence incident, lock down, or unexpected closing for days or weeks.

· Perform a review and look for gaps in all your plans.

· Update all calling trees and phone directories.

· Perform daily checks on critical areas and keep a record of these security inspections. Some day you might need them for court. Keep your reports accurate and detailed.

· Secure all mechanical and utility rooms that contain gas or electrical equipment. Generators make great targets because they typically have large supplies of electricity and a fuel source.

· Check accessibility to utility feeds on a regular basis. It is a good idea to take digital photographs to verify existing conditions and if need be, to compare them against something in the future.

· Increase your foot patrols and make your presence known.

Being prepared and training for terrorist activities helps you review and assess other components of your disaster plans. This planning also helps for other problems that occur with regular familiarity throughout the United States: fire, flooding, earthquakes, workplace violence, armed robberies, etc. Taking Firestorm’s Business Continuity Self-Assessment can help focus energy and your limited budget dollars.

--Scott Watkowski, Firestorm franchise principal

Crisis communications

HEADLINE: Toyota hopes to fix image along with gas pedals

SUMMARY: Toyota announced a proposed repair for its sticking gas pedal problem this week, but early indications are that the company will suffer a long-term consumer confidence setback for failing to come forward sooner to admit the flaw. The automaker revealed in a filing to federal regulators that it first detected a problem with sticking pedals nearly three years ago. Industry experts say Toyota must move quickly to repair its relationship with its customers.

STORY LINK: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-toyota2-2010feb02,0,5093297.story

ANALYSIS: Who has not heard of Toyota’s problem? Answer: not many. Has Toyota helped or hurt their brand? Most would say hurt. Is there a vulnerability that your business could face that would negatively impact your reputation and brand? Are you prepared to face an aggressive, critical media? Do you know how to protect your business?

Firestorm’s Predict. Plan. Perform Process helps manage a crisis.

Predict – Who is the audience and what are their concerns?

Plan – Tailor the message, messenger, and the media format to the stakeholder.

Perform – Focus on 3 key messages.

One of the first rules in any crisis is honesty. The truth will come out. “Don’t be defined by the event.” If you lie, you lose. “If you are explaining you are losing.” Talking about why you failed to act or resolve the problem or didn’t tell the truth will not make the problem go away. It will make it worse.

Be proactive. Take action. “Invent the future.” Tell what you are doing now. Have a plan and announce what your company’s mission is and how it makes a difference.

Last, “Embrace the stakeholder.” Look at the customer, client, employee or investor. Why does it matter to them? How do you feel about them? How do you demonstrate it? Show your concern.

Let us know how we can help. If this can happen to Toyota, it can happen to you. Develop a plan and process now, not in a crisis.

--Jim Satterfield, Firestorm COO/President

Communicable illness

HEADLINE: Who is most likely to take precautions during a pandemic?

SUMMARY: A study in the British Journal of Health Psychology looked at how people behave during pandemics and identified key demographic and psychological factors that may predict protective reactions. Among the conclusions: Women and older people were more likely to heed the advice of health officials and take protective measures such as frequent hand washing, wearing a mask or following quarantine restrictions. Having a high level of trust in authorities was found to be associated with compliance with preventative, avoidant and management of illness behaviors.

STORY LINK: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/01/100130210419.htm

HEADLINE: Report: Efforts needed to boost adult immunizations

SUMMARY: Because of low vaccination rates, 40,000 to 50,000 Americans die from preventable diseases each year and $10 billion in healthcare costs is spent unnecessarily, a report released by the Trust for America's Health indicated. Among the conclusions is that adult vaccination rates suffer because the country lacks the infrastructure to support and promote immunization, except for among children, who are required to get certain vaccines before being admitted to school.

STORY LINK: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/other/news/feb0410immunize.html

ANALYSIS: This first item offers an example of a scientific study that validates what is intuitively widely understood. Women and older people of both genders tend to pay more attention to healthcare matters than young, healthy males. The second story simply reinforces the behavior pattern described in the first. It is unfortunately normal to ignore a peril that is not obvious. As a result, some 40,000 to 50,000 Americans die from vaccine-preventable diseases each year. By comparison, 58,260 Americans were killed during the entire Vietnam War. There is a curious lack of outrage that an equivalent population to New London, CT, or Palo Alto, CA, dies annually of preventable causes, not to mention the $10 billion in unnecessary, associated healthcare costs.

The relevant point is that even as we as a nation debate the high cost of healthcare, there are simple and proven steps we can each take to reduce risk and lower those costs. The recurring theme of a “Culture of Preparedness” is more than a slogan, it is sage advice that can overcome disaster denial and can save lives, property and money when the unanticipated strikes. The solutions are there, but they are ineffective if not used.

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

HEADLINE: Mutated bird flu virus raises doubts about the effectiveness of flu vaccines

SUMMARY: A genetically mutated avian flu virus is believed to be behind a string of deadly outbreaks in bird populations over the past two years, an Indonesian scientist said this week, warning that it could be more lethal than its ancestor should it infect humans. Virologist Gusti Ngurah Mahardhika said the genetic mutations could be triggered by either natural causes or vaccine resistance. “The vaccine also has a masking effect whereby it only provokes immunity in the birds’ respiratory systems although the virus can still be found in the bird’s saliva. So now we can see a seemingly healthy chicken but its droppings and saliva are full of this virus,” he said.

STORY LINK: http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/mutated-bird-flu-virus-raises-doubts-about-the-effectiveness-of-flu-vaccines/356376

ANALYSIS: Reports of a mutated strain of bird flu offer both insufficient information upon which to base analysis and a cautionary new item. Influenza viruses are highly adaptable, and the predominant strain not only changes annually but may modify within a single flu season. For this reason, flu vaccines are custom designed annually. The Indonesian avian vaccine is based on a seed virus dating to 2003, offering a significant time frame within which to mutate. Conversely, human vaccines are targeted to the prevalent strain at the time.

The relevance here is that influenza can and does mutate. The H1N1 and seasonal outbreaks have, to date, proven not to be catastrophic. This has resulted in current discussion in the media and elsewhere as to whether the WHO, CDC, and other public health warnings were over-reacting, or “crying wolf.” Given that less than one-quarter of Americans have been vaccinated against H1N1, the outbreak’s lack of severity is a fortunate coincidence. This again points to the individual, family and organizational decisions made to assume a largely avoidable risk.

Situational awareness is a core concept for risk avoidance: Understand what can threaten you and take appropriate preventive measures. The influenza situation has received unprecedented coverage; the facts are readily available. The options are a proven prevention and a subtle form of viral “Russian Roulette.” The choice should be obvious.

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

Culture of preparedness

HEADLINE: The lessons for U.S. preparedness from Haiti relief efforts

SUMMARY: Among the lessons Americans may learn from the Haiti disaster is the fact that you are your own first responder. Following a major disaster, there is likely to be an extended period in which you will need to have adequate stockpiles of food, water, medicine and basic survival tools on hand. When critical infrastructure is severely damaged, rescue efforts will be delayed, even in a wealthy country such as the United States. For proof, look no further than Hurricane Katrina.

STORY LINK: http://homelandsecuritynewswire.com/lessons-us-preparedness-haiti-relief-efforts?

ANALYSIS: The crisis in Haiti is bad. The only way it could be worse is if it happened to you, your family, or your business. Your planning and preparedness can keep a disruption from becoming a disaster. Don’t wait to figure out what to do until after the disaster strikes.

On a personal level, you must have a disaster plan at home. You can download our book, Disaster Ready People for a Disaster Ready America, for free at www.firestorm.com. It shows you, step-by-step, how to build a plan at home. You can even have the book customized for your company with your logo, foreword from the CEO, and chapter regarding your company’s plan. Having a disaster plan at home is a fundamental building block for having a business continuity plan. Family trumps work. Does every employee have a plan at home? Based upon our analysis, 95 percent don’t have a plan. Can you run your business without 95 percent of your employees?

On a business level, conduct a Business Continuity Self-Assessment. Can your business survive a disruption or crisis? There are documented best practices. Are you addressing every area? How do you know? What is your Preaction Index™? Are your critical suppliers prepared? What is their Preaction Index™?

Firestorm can help. We would prefer to work with you prior to the crisis.

--Jim Satterfield, Firestorm COO/President

Data security

HEADLINE: Security flaw puts iPhone users at risk of phishing attacks

SUMMARY: A flaw in the security protocol leaves the Apple iPhone OS 3.0 open to hackers to offer mobile configuration files that appear to be from a legitimate source, but may otherwise set your iPhone to access malicious servers.

STORY LINK: http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2010/02/security-flaw-puts-iphone-users-at-risk-of-phishing-attacks.ars

ANALYSIS: The iPhone allows settings configuration files to be installed over-the-air through Safari, primarily to help enterprise businesses set up a lot of iPhones as quickly as possible. The security flaw recently found allows hackers to change the iPhone’s proxy settings, redirect Internet traffic to malicious sites and even disable Safari, Mail and other iPhone apps.

If your IPhone is compromised by a hacker, the only way to fix any changes done is to do a complete reset (wipe) of the device. The problem is the setting, which allows configuration files to be installed over-the-air through Safari. Hackers can take advantage of this, as they can make their configuration file report back as “Verified” and even fool you in thinking it’s from Apple itself.

--Kevin Struck, Firestorm VP for IT/Development

Preparedness groups

Join Firestorm’s LinkedIn groups and help build a Culture of Preparedness for your family and organization:

DISASTER READY PEOPLE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1914314&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1898572&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

COMMUNICABLE ILLNESS: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1899278&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

SWINE FLU: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1921222&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

5-Feb-10 1:00 PM

Firestorm Newsletter 29-Jan-10

Mike Pennetti — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:00:00 GMT

January 29, 2010

Public Law 110-53, Title IX

The Department of Homeland Security is implementing a certification program for the private sector. This program, labeled PS-Prep, is defined in Public Law 110-53, Section 524. Failure to comply with these regulations may have serious consequences for you and your company.

More information about Public Law 110-53 Title IX

Communicable illness

HEADLINE: European hearing airs WHO pandemic response, critics' charges

SUMMARY: The Council of Europe's Committee on Social, Health and Family Affairs questioned World Health Organization officials this week about allegations from some European politicians that they exaggerated the H1N1 pandemic threat to benefit drug companies. Dr Keiji Fukuda, WHO special advisor on pandemic influenza, defended vaccine stockpiling as a prudent public health response, saying the novel influenza virus quickly sweeping the globe required unprecedented cooperation from a broad range of groups, including pharmaceutical companies. He also pointed out that the 1918 pandemic started with mild waves of illnesses before turning deadly, and to the CDC report that the number of children who die from the new virus is three times higher than for seasonal flu.

STORY LINK: http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/cidrap/content/influenza/swineflu/news/jan2610council.html

ANALYSIS: It is significant to note that three former Surgeons General of the United States testified before Congress in July 2007 about the adverse impact of the “politicalization” of public health. There is no disputing the tremendous positive impact that medicine and public health have had over the past century. Ancient scourges like plague, polio and smallpox are now historical footnotes, absent an act of bioterrorism. Drs. Koop, Satcher and Carmona provided expert witness to how political agendas can detract from or undermine proven methods. Now, we are witnessing a disturbing increase in conspiracy theories and half-truths circulated via unprecedented rapid communications channels such as Internet blogs and social media. Although the WHO reports that measles vaccination resulted in a 78 percent drop in measles deaths between 2000 and 2008 worldwide, the isolated adverse reaction to the vaccine is what garners more attention.

It is this same dynamic, a political ax to grind, or perhaps a belief that belies the ample scientific evidence to the contrary, that prompts the unfortunate review by a political body of what is sound scientific advice. The alleged conspiracy to benefit vaccine companies would require an unprecedented degree of coordination and collaboration across nations, social strata, health agencies and independent experts. Having to defend against this is a phenomenal waste of time and resources. Moreover, subscribing to such beliefs opens the door to assuming the role of victim.

This also points to an individual need to assess one’s own “culture of preparedness.” While you may feel prepared, are you really ready for the unexpected? Who anticipated a major earthquake in Haiti? Do you, family members, and employees know what to do when disaster strikes? Have you practiced plans for survival and recovery, or does the plan gather dust on a bookshelf – assuming you even have a plan? When a crisis occurs, some will become victims while others will survive. Which side do you choose?

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

HEADLINE: U.S. gets 'F' on bioterror response

SUMMARY: The Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism cited the government’s H1N1 response as proof the United States was "woefully behind" in its ability to produce needed vaccinations and treatments rapidly in reaction to a bioterrorism attack. "H1N1 came with months of warning," the commission's report said. "But even with time to prepare, the epidemic peaked before most Americans had access to vaccine. A bioattack will come with no such warning."

STORY LINK: http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/01/26/security.report.card/index.html?hpt=Sbin

ANALYSIS: The analysis provided by the Commission highlights the unfortunate convergence of success in prevention and treatment, globalization and mankind’s penchant for destructive violence as a means to an end. The development of vaccines and discovery of antibiotics yielded extraordinary advances in health, advances that resulted in global public health capacity being allowed to wither. At the same time, advances in transportation enabled rapid movement across oceans that once served as a barrier to threats, including disease. The ability to move threat agents offers opportunities to supranational agents bent on destruction of a system of government and culture seen as immoral, to underdogs fighting a political cause, or to fringe groups seeking to make a dramatically deadly statement.

This has been vulnerability long in the making, irrespective of which political party has been ascendant at any given moment. Continuing successes in conquering disease limited the need for new research. Why fix what is not broken? In the 1940s, influenza vaccine was produced in hen’s eggs via a process that took months. Seventy years later, the process remains the same. Risk analysis and mitigation require not only an examination of what works against current threats, but also of what new – often unthinkable -- threat may emerge and what is needed for that.

In the case of a purposefully introduced communicable disease, the ability to respond rapidly may save tens or hundreds of thousands of lives. Ironically, this need exists for naturally occurring diseases as well, as H1N1 has demonstrated. It is impossible to prepare for every potential crisis. Still, the groundwork can be laid for addressing future unknowns. In this particular case, it demands the ability to rapidly produce vaccines against an emerging threat. Viewed through a broader lens, awareness of vulnerabilities and preparation to address those weaknesses is valuable to the nation, the community, the family and to you. Crisis commencement is the worst time to plan.

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

Data security

HEADLINE: Smartphones: The next big security threat

SUMMARY: Recent cyber attacks highlight the vulnerability of corporate intellectual property, with increased reliance on the smartphone providing easier network access for hackers. Adding to the susceptibility is the fact that employees aren't as careful with these devices as they are with their laptops, said Derek Manky, threat researcher with security firm Fortinet.

STORY LINK: http://www.fiercemobileit.com/story/smartphones-could-be-next-big-security-threat/2010-01-20

ANALYSIS: The smartphone is the latest in a long line of “devices” (and for my purposes defined very broadly) that expand the functionality, portability and power of our computers, with increasing risks associated with the convenience.

Remember when flash drives first appeared? Almost as soon as we started moving our presentations and spreadsheets between laptops, we had occasion to move viruses from one machine to another. Soon thereafter, companies issued policies that defined and/or prohibited external devices from being used on our corporate computers without tight safeguards.

Even in the “ancient” BTI (Before the Internet) period, those of us who used floppy disks (now I am really dating myself) ran the risk of passing viruses between computers. In fact, when I left one technology company to join another, my own computer at the time had the very latest, industrial-strength virus detection software. Good that it did! Upon arriving at the new company -- interestingly enough, one whose primary business was providing contract programmers to major companies -- we discovered that every computer was infected when my computer would not load the company standard software.

With the increased sophistication of portable devices and computing come increased security issues. Touted as one of the next big areas of opportunity, supplying security to smartphones will be a burgeoning business in the next few years. Consider the degree of security on or available to you as part of your buying decision for any smartphone. As we at Firestorm regularly remind you, be prepared – Predict. Plan. Perform. If your life is now on your phone, get all the life insurance you can for that device and certainly get virus protection if you access the Internet regularly.

--Ted Hansen, Director, Firestorm Expert Council

Campus safety

HEADLINE: Death threat looms over Ohio college

SUMMARY: The FBI is investigating a death threat against black students at Hocking College in Ohio. The threat was discovered by a student last week, written with a marker on a bathroom wall, saying black students would be harmed on Feb. 2. Despite increased security, the threat has sent a wave of fear throughout the campus, and an Associated Press report indicated that at least two students have left the school permanently because of it, while a dozen more have moved off campus.

STORY LINK: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2010/01/28/2010-01-28_death_threat_looms_over_ohio_college_black_students_fearful_of_feb_2_murder_spre.html

ANALYSIS: Campus violence is just another form of workplace violence, and workplace violence is part of the new norm. Every threat must be treated as real. Threats must be investigated. OSHA has identified workplace violence as a known threat. Yet 70 percent of organizations have no plan; 43 percent of threats go unreported; and 24 percent of the attacks go unreported.

All threats have real impacts, even if no attack ever takes place. In this case, two students have already left school. How many more may leave and not tell anyone why? Have donors stopped supporting the school? How many parents will not allow their children to attend the school because of this incident?

How do you monitor what happens at your organization? Do your employees know what signs to look for? Do your employees know who to notify?

Conduct an anonymous survey of your company on workplace violence. How many people know you have a workplace violence plan? How many have felt threatened or concerned at work? If you are not pleased with the results, you need to update your plan, conduct training and run exercises. Do not wait until after an attack. Are your employees ready?

--Jim Satterfield, Firestorm COO/President

Preparedness groups

Join Firestorm’s LinkedIn groups and help build a Culture of Preparedness for your family and organization:

DISASTER READY PEOPLE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1914314&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1898572&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

COMMUNICABLE ILLNESS: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1899278&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

SWINE FLU: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1921222&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

29-Jan-10 11:00 AM

Firestorm Newsletter 22-Jan-10

Mike Pennetti — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:00:00 GMT

January 22, 2010

Public Law 110-53, Title IX

More information about Public Law 110-53 Title IX

Communicable illness

HEADLINE: Pandemic H1N1 spreads despite claims threat fabricated

SUMMARY: WHO officials this week dismissed charges that the H1N1 pandemic was manufactured or overblown to benefit the pharmaceutical industry as “absurd.’’ Outbreaks of the flu virus continue to erupt in parts of the world and a potential third wave could involve a more virulent strain. “Inestimable lives have been saved because of the vaccines,” one top official said, downplaying the naysayers as being “out of touch with reality … even science.”

STORY LINK: http://www.hstoday.us/content/view/11843/149/

ANALYSIS: The concept of a global conspiracy mounted by public health officials to benefit the pharmaceutical industry is as convoluted as it is fantastic … in the original meaning of that word, i.e. relating to fantasy. There is no denying that H1N1 influenza spread rapidly around the world. The unknown has been, continues to be, and will always be whether the virus will evolve to a more deadly strain, lessen in virulence, or stay the same. So far, luck has been with us. The impact of H1N1 has been far less than it might have been, certainly nowhere near the deadly and oft-cited 1918-19 strain of so-called “Spanish Flu.”

Yet, to dismiss health warnings as a ruse to generate profits reveals a cynicism that borders on cruel fiction. Using this line of reasoning, because there has not been a rash of fires in my neighborhood the recommendation to change the batteries in my smoke alarms when changing clocks to and from Daylight Savings Time is a national conspiracy to benefit battery manufacturers. While we have been quite fortunate that H1N1 has not evolved into a more serious threat, that is undoubtedly small comfort to the families of the 255 American children and nearly 11,000 others who have died from H1N1 since April 2009.

The potential for a deadly strain of influenza remains, as does the current H1N1 pandemic. Immunization against influenza offers widely proven, safe, and highly effective protection against an illness that is at best annoying and at worst deadly. Avoiding this protection because of some imagined conspiracy simply invites needless risk.

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

HEADLINE: CDC: 1 in 5 Americans vaccinated against swine flu

SUMMARY: Approximately 20 percent of Americans have been vaccinated against swine flu, according to the CDC’s first detailed estimate. Officials said that rate was good, considering they conducted a hurried campaign against a novel flu virus, using a vaccine that did not become available – then in limited supply -- to the general public until early October. The report followed the recent update from the CDC that more than 11,000 Americans have died from swine flu since it was first identified in April.

STORY LINK: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/15/AR2010011501812.html

ANALYSIS: Although officials report being pleased with a rate of one in five, those numbers also reflect the reluctance of a portion of the population to avail themselves of the protection offered by a safe and effective vaccine. Estimates are that some 246,000 Americans have been hospitalized from H1N1 influenza and 11,160 died from it or related complications. The question must be posed as to how many of these illnesses and deaths might have been avoided. More significantly, further illness and fatalities are avoidable, given the now widespread availability of H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccines.

Every individual, every household, every business, and every community accepts a certain level of risk. As with prior planning for an emergency, the cost-benefit analysis of prevention far outweighs the impact of not preparing. Why someone would accept an easily avoidable risk remains a mystery.

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

Data security

HEADLINE: Companies fight endless war against computer attacks

SUMMARY: Once mainly pesky viruses and worms targeting personal computers, today’s malware is more subtle and selective, nesting inside corporate networks to enable industrial espionage such as transmitting digital copies of trade secrets, customer lists, future plans and contracts. In a survey of 443 companies and government agencies published last month, the Computer Security Institute found that 64 percent reported malware infections, with an average loss of $234,000 per organization.

STORY LINK: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/18/technology/internet/18defend.html

ANALYSIS: Computer security in today’s world is a lot like driving in heavy, fast-moving traffic. You do your best to avoid problems you can see, but the reality of the situation is that you are at the mercy of the “other guy.” In this case, as this article points out, the “other guy” is China, hackers, malware, phishing, the Internet, exploitable software and Microsoft. Taken as a whole, this formidable group of “issues” consolidates down to a single point in my opening analogy --when driving on unsafe roads among “other” unsafe drivers your risk of getting into an accident increases proportionately. That point is driven home by the survey results mentioned above where 64 percent of the companies surveyed are getting the chance to get back on a first-name basis with their auto insurance agent after having a “malware accident” on the Internet.

While I could go on for pages about what you can do to protect yourself, any suggestion I could make would pivot on a single theme. That theme would be this: Never forget that the bad guys (Chinese hackers) are smarter than anyone at your company when it comes to beating the system. On top of this add in the fact that browser software (Microsoft) that should be secure isn’t, and the Internet was never designed to be secure and you should understand the threats you face on a daily basis are a constant challenge, much like driving in heavy, fast-moving traffic. So don’t let down your guard and plan for the fact that at some time in the future you may be in a collision because the “other guy” got in the way.

--Bill Spernow, Firestorm Expert Council member

Corporate communications

HEADLINE: YouTube era’s new risks: companies have to get with it ... or get burned

SUMMARY: Social media are becoming increasingly central to corporate communications, but with the opportunities come equal risks. Besides seeking to capture the attention of potential customers, companies must learn to manage the conversation and myriad of legal liabilities that accompany the exposure. "You're not going to enable social [media] to happen, it's happening without you so you might as well have a piece in the conversation and be part of the conversation," social media pioneer Erik Qualman said.

STORY LINK: http://www.law.com/jsp/cc/PubArticleCC.jsp?id=1202437916469&YouTube_Eras_New_Risks_Companies_Have_to_Get_With_It__or_Get_Burned

ANALYSIS: As this article points out, the “head-in-the-sand approach’’ to social media is no longer viable. Your organization will eventually be subject to the social-media microscope, so the best practice is to attempt to reap the benefits while minimizing the risks.

Doing so will require a clear and well-communicated strategy that starts with guidelines to employees regarding acceptable social media activity. Depending on the situation, that may include a ban on discussing/posting any company-related information.

Proactive monitoring and guiding of the online conversation should be left to the communications professionals in your organization. And, as with any corporate strategy, understand your exposures and map your crisis messages in advance. In today’s climate, you will likely need them at some point.

--Mike Pennetti, Firestorm Director of Media Relations

Preparedness groups

Join Firestorm’s LinkedIn groups and help build a Culture of Preparedness for your family and organization:

DISASTER READY PEOPLE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1914314&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1898572&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

COMMUNICABLE ILLNESS: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1899278&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

SWINE FLU: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1921222&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

22-Jan-10 1:00 PM

Firestorm Newsletter 15-Jan-10

Mike Pennetti — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:00:00 GMT

January 15, 2010

Communicable illness

HEADLINE: U.S. 5 infectious diseases that have the potential to re-emerge

SUMMARY: Some experts are concerned that diseases once thought eradicated such as tuberculosis, mumps, whooping cough, smallpox and scarlet fever have the potential to re-emerge. Factors cited for this possibility include increased world travel, immigration and homelessness, fear of potential vaccination side effects and the threat of bioterrorism.

STORY LINK: http://www.pennlive.com/bodyandmind/index.ssf/2010/01/5_infectious_diseases_that_rem.html

ANALYSIS: Advances during the last century in immunization, antibiotics and public health practices produced significant results, including the virtual conquering of several diseases. Since 1900, the average life expectancy for Americans has increased by about 30 years. What these advances have not overcome, however, is biology, nature’s amazing resiliency and malfeasance on the part of some humans.

Tuberculosis offers a prime example, one that is tracked globally by health officials. Once a widespread scourge, it was known as consumption because it seemed to consume its victims from within. The development of treatment regimens using four first-line drugs offered an effective counter to this ancient disease. Through a combination of misuse of the drugs and not completing the entire regimen, some TB has mutated to be resistant to several of these medicines, drug- and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). MDR-TB requires more lengthy treatment using more costly second-line drugs. Some TB has further evolved, becoming extensively drug resistant (XDR-TB), unable to be treated by even some second-line drugs. Most distressing but still rare, has been the emergence of extremely drug resistant tuberculosis (XXDR-TB) which is resistant to all current drug treatments and nearly always fatal.

Of the other diseases cited, only smallpox is known to have been eliminated in nature. It is here that the human threat emerges. There are two known samples of the smallpox virus in existence, both held in government laboratories, one in Russia and one in the United States. The potential for compromise of the security of one of these samples or that the virus could be replicated using genetic engineering was a rationale behind the unsuccessful smallpox vaccination program in 2004. While many would dismiss this as a viable threat, it is instructive to note that anthrax sickness has been long considered improbable in developed nations, yet the 2001 bioterrorism attacks, a late-2009 gastrointestinal case in New Hampshire, and current sickness and deaths among heroin users in Europe all resulted from anthrax.

The lesson here is that while preventive measures are largely successful, it is impossible to prevent against every threat. Understanding vulnerabilities and developing measures to address any communicable disease – whether H1N1 influenza or whooping cough – at home or in the workplace can be the difference between overcoming adversity and becoming a statistic.

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

HEADLINE: Why seniors really should fear Swine Flu

SUMMARY: Contrary to the initial information disseminated by health officials, new analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that H1N1 is more than twice as deadly to seniors as children. As a result, "many older adults undoubtedly underestimate their own risk and the importance of getting vaccinated," says Peter Sandman, a longtime scholar of risk communication. "Older adults have been told they don't have to worry, and that's not true. If the virus comes back, people will die."

STORY LINK: http://www.newsweek.com/id/229947

ANALYSIS: As a novel (i.e. new) disease, H1N1 needed to develop a “track record” before its full impact could be understood. While initial guidance was -- in retrospect -- under-informed, it was also just guidance presented relative to the bigger picture. Even if you are at a lesser risk for a particular disease, you are still at risk. In the case of H1N1, there is an effective and widely proven vaccine; declining protection simply creates an easily avoidable risk.

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

HEADLINE: Tuberculosis patient flies despite being on banned list

SUMMARY: Despite being on a federal health “do-not-fly’’ list, a person with an active case of tuberculosis was allowed aboard a US Airways flight from Philadelphia to San Francisco last week. Because the flight was less than eight hours, officials do not believe other passengers are at risk, but "we don't think anyone with active tuberculosis should get on a plane," Dr. Martin Cetron, CDC's director for global migration and quarantine, told CNN.

STORY LINK: http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/01/12/tuberculosis.flight/index.html

ANALYSIS: One of the characteristics of an open society is freedom of movement. While public health and other travel-related laws and regulations are largely successful in protecting the population, this event reinforces that no safety system is perfect. In this particular case, the passenger in question had knowledge of the disease. This is not always the case, as was witnessed with the initial spread of SARS.

The philosophical question must be posed: should infection by a communicable illness prevent all public travel? What if that travel is essential to livelihood? There is a degree of individual responsibility inherent in this incident. If you know that you are ill with a communicable disease – whether TB or H1N1 influenza – you hold an inherent responsibility not to spread it to others. Conversely, had this individual boarded the aircraft wearing a surgical mask, would fellow passengers have reacted in a calm and measured manner? Public use of medical masks is common practice in Eastern society. Acceptance of that practice has yet to take hold outside of the clinical setting in the United States. As individuals and as a society, this is something to consider.

Not knowing who is on a plane next to you, or your employees, is why you need a travel policy as part of a corporate communicable illness plan.

--Don Donahue, Director, Firestorm Healthcare Response Team

National security

HEADLINE: U.S. to further raise airline security, official says

SUMMARY: In response to the information collected from the terrorist responsible for the attempted bombing of an airplane on Christmas and other intelligence gathered from our security agencies, the TSA is increasing airline security. The new regulations are expected to include further in-flight restrictions in passengers’ movement, more random pre-flight screening of passengers and an increase in the number of federal air marshals on flights.

STORY LINK: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34864969/ns/us_news-airliner_security/

ANALYSIS: These additional measures are designed to better control and observe passengers during flight. As with this recent attempt and the attempt that Richard Reid made, observant fellow passengers were able to thwart these attempts. Good fortune was also a major factor in preventing an in-flight bombing.

As travelers endure more delays, more evasive screening and restricted movement while in flight, it is important to realize that terrorism is a very real and growing threat. Few people realize that the chemical being widely used for explosive devices, called PETN, is widely used in medicine. Lentonitrat, which is used for the treatment of heart disease, is almost pure PETN. Less than three ounces of this chemical was sewn into the undergarments of the failed Christmas Day bomber. This chemical is odorless and is almost impossible to detect with the equipment currently employed at the airport screening areas.

Fortunately, PETN requires a lot of heat to explode and usually the detonation device or the ignition process is identified or fails before the explosion takes place. We may not always be so lucky, as the terrorists keep trying and improving their methods. The TSA did not help matters when they released their Security Procedures by mistake a couple of months ago, which I previously commented on in this forum.

Travelers and individuals in general need to be vigilant to prevent future terrorist attacks. Some tips to help you safeguard yourself, community and fellow travelers:

Look for individuals who exhibit apprehension or nervousness as they approach security, or may be wearing too many clothes or not dressed appropriately for the conditions.
Report any odd, unexplained odors, which could be a chemical-based explosive or detonation device, or any liquids leaking from containers or unusual stains on packages and luggage.
Report anyone in possession of too many batteries, “unique’’ batteries, unexplainable wires or too many matches.
Watch for bags that appear too heavy for their size when being handled.

If you see any of these characteristics, contact the authorities. Remember, that in 2009, the U.S. arrested 15 people for serious terrorist activities and almost all of them were U.S. citizens. The game is changing every day and the stakes are getting much higher.

--Scott Watkowski, Firestorm principal

Data security

HEADLINE: Beware who fixes that broken laptop

SUMMARY: According to a study by the privacy group the Ponemon Institute, data-recovery services are responsible for about 20 percent of breaches in which companies lose control of personal data pertaining to employees or customers. The study classified “loss’’ as any situation in which personal data leaves a company's control, such as the movement of hard drives containing sensitive information like social security numbers or credit card data to unaffiliated third parties.

STORY LINK: http://www.forbes.com/2010/01/05/data-recovery-privacy-technology-cio-network-breaches.html

ANALYSIS: Disaster Due Diligence is needed before a disaster, not afterward. Knowing who you are giving access -- whether physically or digitally -- is critical. Most employees have low technology skills and understanding. The results can be devastating if someone obtains access.

When conducting a “hot wash” after a loss of data, human error is identified in most cases. Most have access to critical information or even store the information on laptops. If (when) technology problems occur, having prequalified vetted resources is essential to protect data security. We have worked with companies who have found out after the fact that their employee was not who they thought they were. False identities, multiple Social Security numbers, hidden assets, and different agendas are too common.

Have you conducted background checks on vendors and employees? Is someone with a questionable past accessing your data every day or in a crisis?

--Jim Satterfield, Firestorm President/COO

HEADLINE: Heartland, Visa announce $60 million settlement

SUMMARY: Heartland Payment Systems reached a settlement to pay Visa-branded credit and debit card issuers up to $60 million to cover losses incurred from a massive data breach. Industry analysts termed the deal as “fair and reasonable’’ for Heartland, which had an estimated 130 million credit and debit card numbers stolen from its system.

STORY LINK: http://www.bankinfosecurity.com/articles.php?art_id=2054

ANALYSIS: Alice in Wonderland would find the world of identity protection, theft, liabilities and regulations upside down. It is amazing that the firms involved found that paying only $60 million was good. In my world that represents significant impact.

While these firms may view this dollar amount as low, it does establish teeth in the liability world for violation of Red Flags violations. Has your firm identified identity and critical information both in hard copy and digitally? Do you have a plan? The regulations require training, a compliance officer, and a mitigation plan. Failure to address these could be considered negligence or gross negligence.

The first step is a Benchmark/Gap Analysis to identify the applicable Red Flags and essential data. How do you know that your sensitive information is safe? Do your employees know what to do?

--Jim Satterfield, Firestorm President/COO

Preparedness groups

Join Firestorm’s LinkedIn groups and help build a Culture of Preparedness for your family and organization:

DISASTER READY PEOPLE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1914314&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1898572&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

COMMUNICABLE ILLNESS: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1899278&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

SWINE FLU: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1921222&trk=myg_ugrp_ovr

15-Jan-10 1:00 PM

New Firestorm franchisee taps Mexican market

noemail@firestorm.com — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:00:00 GMT

FEB. 12, 2010 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ROSWELL, Ga. – As the owner of six daycare centers in Mexico, Aldo Salinas understands the critical importance of preparedness. In one of the biggest tragedies in the country’s history, 44 children were killed last year when a fire swept through a Sonora state daycare facility leased by the government. The facility was housed in a converted warehouse in an industrial area, surrounded by mechanic shops and a gas station. No fire alarm or sprinkler system went off, according to witnesses, and there was only one open exit. As the latest Firestorm franchisee -- the company’s seventh awarded since launching franchising in April 2009 – one of Salinas’ main objectives is to help bring about “a culture of preparedness that currently doesn’t exist in Mexico.’’ Firestorm (www.firestorm.com) is a national leader in business continuity, communicable...

Latest Franchisee Brings Financial Risk Perspective

noemail@firestorm.com — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:00:00 GMT

DEC. 14, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ROSWELL, Ga. – With more than 25 years experience in managing risk from production, supply chain and financial standpoints, Blair Neville has seen the scope of vulnerabilities that can threaten businesses. With Hewlett-Packard in the late 1980s, Neville was integral in process engineering and supply chain management in the enterprise software space. He moved into financial asset management with Chrysler Systems in the mid-90s and focused on exposures such as asset obsolescence and failure in multimillion-dollar computer and production systems. “Most people on the financial side don’t have a production background,’’ said Neville, whose education is in industrial engineering. “You need the ability to look at risk management from a financial perspective.’’ As the latest Firestorm franchisee -- the company’s seventh awarded since launching...

Firestorm, BC Management Enter Partnership

noemail@firestorm.com — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:00:00 GMT

SEP. 30, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ROSWELL, Ga. – Firestorm Solutions LLC, a national leader in crisis management, business continuity, communicable illness/pandemic planning and vulnerability analysis, has entered into a strategic agreement with BC Management, Inc., a global executive search firm specializing in business continuity staffing and research data. BC Management, headquartered in Huntington Beach, Cal., possesses the industry’s most extensive database of business continuity, disaster recovery, crisis/risk management and information security professionals. The partnership gives Firestorm® access to this vast network of pre-approved experts to address the needs of its clients. The breadth and depth of the Solutions Board created by this partnership is unprecedented,’’ said Ann Pickren, Firestorm Executive Vice President for Solutions. All disasters are local, and through our agreement with BC Management,...

Insurance, Franchise Expert Chooses Firestorm

noemail@firestorm.com — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:00:00 GMT

SEP. 28, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ROSWELL, Ga. – With more than 25 years experience in commercial property and casualty insurance underwriting and risk management, Dr. Linda Hunt King knows the value of preparedness. As a Business Alliance Inc.-affiliated franchise broker, she also can spot a solid business opportunity. So when Dr. King learned of Firestorm® business continuity planning and consulting franchise availability through its association with BAI, she completed the due diligence process and this month became the latest Firestorm franchisee. Firestorm (www.firestorm.com) is a national leader in business continuity, communicable illness/pandemic planning, vulnerability analysis and crisis management. Franchisees utilize all capabilities of Firestorm -- which provided the on-site crisis management support at Virginia Tech -- including its name and trademark; operational methodology including plans, policies,...

Firestorm Unveils Fast Start Pandemic ToolKit

noemail@firestorm.com — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:00:00 GMT

SEP. 23, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ROSWELL, Ga. – With businesses of all sizes scrambling to prepare for the full onslaught of the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic this fall, Firestorm Solutions® has created the Pandemic Planning ToolKit: Fast Start for H1N1. According to the World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, half the global population may be affected and many organizations will experience high rates of absenteeism (estimated at 40-plus percent). The Firestorm Pandemic Toolkit is designed for organizations needing to rapidly and cost-effectively prepare to mitigate the adverse impacts on business and employees. Firestorm (www.firestorm.com) is a national leader in business continuity consulting, emergency response, crisis management and communications and communicable illness planning. Its Expert Council includes former U.S. Surgeons General C. Everett Koop and David Satcher. Its...

Swine Flu Webinar Features Former Surgeon General

noemail@firestorm.com — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 17:00:00 GMT

SEPT. 20, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ROSWELL, Ga. – With information and misinformation swirling concerning the H1N1 (swine flu) pandemic, Firestorm Solutions will conduct a free webinar to help separate fact from fiction. Truths & Myths About H1N1: Setting the Record Straight on the Current Pandemic’’ will be held Thursday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. EDT and feature the 16th Surgeon General of the United States, Dr. David Satcher. Registration is free and available at www.predictplanperform.com. Dr. Satcher, a member of Firestorm’s Expert Council, will address the current status of the pandemic, its impact on the healthcare system and private sector, the importance and safety of potential vaccines and the critical role of communications in battling the outbreak and protecting public health. The reality and threat of the H1N1 pandemic represent both a major challenge and a major opportunity,’’ said Dr. Satcher, the director of The...

Firestorm Franchises Available in all 50 states, D.C.

noemail@firestorm.com — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:00:00 GMT

AUG. 27, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ROSWELL, Ga. -- Firestorm Franchising LLC announced that it has been approved to begin accepting applications for business continuity planning and consulting franchises in Connecticut and Maine, making Firestorm franchises available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Franchisees are able to utilize all capabilities and services of Firestorm® -- which provided the on-site crisis management support at Virginia Tech -- including the Firestorm name and trademark; operational methodology including plans, policies, procedures and training; and access to its staff, Expert Council and Online Resource Center. Franchises have been awarded and are operational in Georgia, Alabama, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Requirements include demonstrated senior leadership expertise, problem-solving skills, a commitment to help others and a desire to build a business based on a Culture of...

Former Verizon Safety Manager Awarded Franchise

noemail@firestorm.com — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:00:00 GMT

AUGUST 24, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ROSWELL, Ga. – With more than 20 years experience in workplace health, safety and regulatory compliance, Jeff Kady was a natural fit for Firestorm – and vice versa. Kady, of Easton, Pa., is the CEO of Cosmos Consulting and former National Manager for Safety and Health at Verizon Communications. With Verizon, Kady was responsible for all aspects of employee health and safety, including corporate policy and compliance, human resource IT, emergency preparedness and business continuity, developing an overall culture of safety and integrating safety into the business model. As Regional Safety Manager in Western Pennsylvania, Kady handled training, incident investigation and analysis, OSHA complaint response and hazard assessments. Kady also has 30-plus years experience in firefighting, rescue, hazmat and emergency response in West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania, including participation in the...

Webinar Examines Swine Flu Impacts on Biz Travel

noemail@firestorm.com — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

AUG. 20, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ROSWELL, Ga. – Business as usual’’ won’t be this flu season, with the effects of the H1N1 pandemic expected to include quarantines, travel restrictions and school and office closings. Businesses that rely on travel need to make preparations now to mitigate the impact. Firestorm Solutions LLC and Passport Health USA are conducting a free, hour-long webinar August 25 at 2 p.m. EDT to help businesses plan for the swine flu. Registration for Healthcare Strategies for Today’s Mobile Society: Update on Antivirals and Vaccines’’ is available at www.predictplanperform.com. James W. Satterfield, president and COO of Firestorm, a national leader in business continuity, communicable illness/pandemic planning, vulnerability analysis and crisis management, will moderate. Experts include Donald A. Donahue, the Executive Director of the National Security Health Policy Center in Washington, D.C., who has more...

Firestorm, S&STV Enter Strategic Agreement

noemail@firestorm.com — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:00:00 GMT

AUG. 17, 2009 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ROSWELL, Ga. – Firestorm Solutions LLC, a national leader in crisis management, business continuity, communicable illness/pandemic planning and vulnerability analysis, has entered into a strategic partnership with Safe and Secure TV Channel, creating the industry’s leading preparedness information portal. The relationship makes Firestorm’s planning and crisis management knowledge -- crucial to mitigating the outcomes of all types of disasters -- available through Safe and Secure TV Channel’s broadband internet television channel (www.safeandsecuretvchannel.com) and e-magazine formats. Through existing Firestorm partners and clients, approximately 2.6 million businesses and their 25-plus million employees will have access to the content on demand. This will be everything you need to know, when you need to know it,’’ Firestorm President/COO James W. Satterfield said. All disasters are local, and...

audio file

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:06:31 GMT

In the wake of the Deer Creek Middle School shootings, CEO Harry Rhulen discusses how identifying and predicting risk is the key to responding. story and video clip>>

MyTechnologyLawyer Radio Show: Host Scott Draughon talks with Jim Satterfield

Healthcare Capabilities

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:54:12 GMT

The Firestorm Solutions Healthcare Team draws from collective resources reflecting the broad range of healthcare policy, education, and delivery in every setting and section of the nation. These resources represent leading academic institutions, former government officials, and experience within public, private, and military health delivery systems. Firestorm’s active network and Expert Council includes six former surgeons general (military and United States), three deputy and assistant surgeons general, multiple hospital CEOs, and functional experts from a variety of disciplines within healthcare. Firestorm resources include a health system compliance and quality officer who was among the first in the nation to receive a graduate certificate in health compliance from George Washington University. Click here to download the PDF Donald A. Donahue, DHEd, MBA, FACHE, CHS-III and the Executive Director of the Center for Health Policy & Preparedness at the Potomac Institute for...

Gary G. Daemer

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:15:09 GMT

InfusionPoints was founded by Gary G Daemer, a seasoned management and technology security consultant. He led multiple security consulting teams at Booz | Allen | Hamilton and American Management Systems. He also worked in industry as a Program Manager, Security Architect, and Enterprise Security Integration Engineer with BF Shaw, Radio Frequency Services, Harris Communications, ATT and Lowe’s, where he honed his leadership, management, enterprise security and privacy, identity and access management, and data protection skills.

He led enterprise security architecture assessments and development for State and Federal Agencies, aerospace, manufacturing, retail, banking, and insurance industries. His teams have implemented multiple secure enterprise business solutions, security operation centers, intrusion prevention/detection systems, security information management, public key infrastructure, smart cards, federated identity management, enterprise access, identity management self-service, automated identity synchronization, enterprise portals, flat file and database encryption, and encrypted tape backup solutions.

Gary Daemer holds a Bachelor's of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, as well as a Master's degree in Systems Engineering, from Virginia Tech. <<

Expert Council Members

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:13:34 GMT

Rosemary C. Baggish, M.Ed., MPH Special Education, Public Health Administration Bob Ballagh, CPP Security Risk Mitigation S. David Bernstein, Psy.D Clinical Forensic Psychologist Peter H. Bickford Insurance/Reinsurance Counselor and Arbitrator James E. (Jim) Blair Risk management, Governance and Compliance Robert E. Boyle Former Executive Director, Port Authority of New York Stephen F. Browne, Ph.D. Strategic technological planning for local, state and federal emergency communications Wallace P. Buran Partner, KPMG, Strategic Planning, Supply Chain Transformation Robert Cox, M.D. Infectious disease, professional speaker on subject Tony L. Corwin Government relations, legislation, strategic planning Stephen O. Cunnion, M.D., Ph.D, MPH Infectious Disease and Environmental Investigation Gary G. Daemer Management and Technology Security Consultant Paul DeSanctis CBCP Business Continuity Consultant Ralph Diner, Ph.D, M.S.C.P Psychopharmacology Donald A. Donahue, Jr.,...

Firestorm Franchising In the News

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:14:33 GMT

FEBRUARY 12, 2010 ROSWELL, Ga. - As the owner of six daycare centers in Mexico, Aldo Salinas understands the critical importance of preparedness. In one of the biggest tragedies in the country’s history, 44 children were killed last year when a fire swept through a Sonora state daycare facility leased by the government. The facility was housed in a converted warehouse in an industrial area, surrounded by mechanic shops and a gas station. No fire alarm or sprinkler system went off, according to witnesses, and there was only one open exit. Click to read Salinas Press Release DECEMBER 14, 2009 ROSWELL, Ga. - With more than 25 years experience in managing risk from production, supply chain and financial standpoints, Blair Neville has seen the scope of vulnerabilities that can threaten businesses. As the latest Firestorm franchisee -- the company’s seventh awarded since launching franchising in April -- Neville’s experience and vision will now serve the company’s...

Mahdi Obeidi, CPRE, Ph.D

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:16:51 GMT

Being the only Iraqi scientist that was brought by the United States soon after the 2003 war, Dr.Obeidi has been actively involved in establishing a professional persona, with particular emphasis on research, analysis, lectures on his experience in Iraq, lectures on limiting the proliferation of nuclear technology, the development and launch of a book outlining his experiences, and finally, a good deal of research and conferences on nano-technology and its applications. An overview of the recent activities includes: · Retained by United States Civilian Research and Development (CRDF) to consult on science and technology on Middle East and North Africa, with particular emphasis on Iraq. · Retained by Abraxas to work on security matters for the Department of Homeland Security. · Retained by Sandia National Laboratory to consult on the rebuilding of Iraq with emphasis on energy, petrochemical and water engineering issues. · Lectured at the...

Gerard J. Ferri

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:35:00 GMT

Television Broadcasting Over the last 30 years, Gerard Ferri has been involved in the creation, support, and ongoing success of several broadcast, cable, and television networks, as well as marketing and communications campaigns. At one phase or another, Ferri has either worked for, or has had as a client at his video production facilities, Discovery Channel, Black Entertainment Television, The Learning Channel, Ivana Trump’s 5th Avenue Channel, Shoptropolis TV, The Osmond Family Television Network, and The Parish Video Network, for which his Church Today program received the coveted Gabriel Award, which is the equivalent of an Oscar for religious programming. In addition, Ferri has held senior management roles with Osmond Studios, Capitol Video, Five Star Productions and with Atlantic Video in Washington, D.C., which hosted a number of these successful cable television networks. Internet Broadband Television Building on his success in broadcasting, Ferri recently created...

Locate a Franchisee

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:26:35 GMT

Firestorm Franchisees bring a wealth of knowledge and business expertise to the Firestorm business continuity planning and consulting franchise group. To find a franchisee location and to read more about each franchisee, select from the following list, or click on the link below to use our zip code locator.

Each franchisee is awarded the entire United States as a territory and is protected by the franchisor regarding client development.

Harry W. Rhulen: Chairman/CEO

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:18:45 GMT

Harry also has extensive due diligence experience, having participated in over thirty M&A transactions. He has lead several public offerings raising in excess of $350 million. As an insurance industry representative, serving on the board of the American Insurance Association, he testified before Congress to expand the opportunities for financial service companies.

Harry has worked as a consultant in many industries, using his risk management, crisis management, and business management skills, public company, legal, bankruptcy, and due diligence experience to help his clients.

He has served on the boards of several profit and not-for-profit entities. He has received humanitarian awards for many of his efforts, including the “Quality of Human Life” Award from the American Red Cross. He graduated Cum Laude from the College of Insurance and has both a Juris Doctor and Masters of Business Degree from Syracuse University.

Harry is co-author of Disaster Ready People For A Disaster Ready America.With Jim Satterfield, President of Firestorm, he will publish two additional books which will be published this year: one on pandemic planning—The Pandemic Scam—Why Plan? and the second on the governance requirement for planning—Luck is Not a Strategic Plan. <<

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Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:17:29 GMT

Public Law 110-53, Title IX
The Department of Homeland Security is implementing a certification program for the private sector that promotes preparedness, including disaster management, emergency management and business continuity programs. This program, labeled PS-Prep, is defined in Public Law 110-53, Section 524. Failure to comply with these regulations may have serious consequences for you and your company.
More about Public Law 110-53, Title IX>>

Pandemic Planning ToolKit: Fast Start for H1N1
WHAT CAN GO WRONG? Everything. Most human resource plans are designed to address occasional absenteeism, not 20 to 40 percent levels. Do you have three employees trained to perform every critical function of your business? More about the ToolKit>>

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noemail@firestorm.com — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 22:50:38 GMT

Objectives:

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Release Date: 12-Nov-07 5:50 PM
Expiration Date: 12-Feb-08 5:50 PM

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2007-11-12T22:50:38Z

Instructor: Instructor

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