Posted by Sarah Rixey on Thu, Apr 18, 2013
As part of our comprehensive disaster recovery planning services, Agility Recovery Solutions sends out a free weekly tip through email. If you would like to receive these tips, please sign up here.
Terror in Boston
Our hearts go out to the victims, friends and families suffering in the wake of Monday’s tragic attack on the Boston Marathon. While there are still many unknowns in the investigation, local and federal authorities are making progress, and have called for heightened security and added vigilance across the country.
In an effort to assist those in need, Agility has compiled a few resources to help businesses recover, cope and prepare during this trying time.
- Remain Vigilant - If you see something, say something. Americans have a shared responsibility in keeping each other safe. Report all suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
- Coping with Emotional Trauma - If you or someone else you know is struggling with the psychological effects of Monday’s tragedy, call the Disaster Distress Helpline for information, support and counseling.
- Crisis Communications - Prepare your co-workers, friends and family for network outages. Click here to learn why cell phone networks often fail in emergencies and how to best communicate with loved ones during such instances.
If you have additional questions or would like to talk with a recovery professional about your business continuity needs visit www.agilityrecovery.com or call 866-364-9696.
Posted by Sarah Rixey on Fri, Feb 22, 2013
As part of our comprehensive disaster recovery planning services, Agility Recovery Solutions sends out a free weekly tip through email. If you would like to receive these tips, please sign up here.
Cybercrime Goes Mobile
Mobile devices have become an essential tool for everyday life. We check in for flights, make online purchases, access bank accounts and connect to social media all on mobile-enhanced websites and newly developed applications.
The worldwide adoption of the smartphone has prompted cybercriminals to shift their focus toward mobile users and away from the traditional PC environment. According to Norton’s Cybercrime Report, 1 in 4 adults have been a victim of mobile and social cybercrime.
So what can we do to protect our mobile devices and guard our personal information? Use the tips below to keep your smartphone safe and secure.
- Regularly update your operating system for security patches.
- When you enter a website (especially financial) make sure that "https" appears in the address bar, which means connection is secure.
- Turn the Bluetooth function off after using it. It is another way unknown applications or viruses can access your cell phone.
- Be sure to use applications only from trustworthy and reputable sources.
- Use a password to protect your device. The more random your password, the better.
- Don't connect to unprotected WiFi access points.
- Know how to perform a remote wipe to remove data from your device if lost or stolen.
If you have additional questions or would like to talk with a recovery professional about your business continuity needs visit www.agilityrecovery.com or call 866-364-9696.
Posted by Sarah Rixey on Mon, Feb 04, 2013
As part of our comprehensive disaster recovery planning services, Agility Recovery Solutions sends out a free weekly tip through email. If you would like to receive these tips, please sign up here.
Blackout Bowl
Last night's Super Bowl will be remembered for years to come. Not for the Ravens' thrilling victory, or the 49ers' impressive attempt at a comeback in the second half, but for the thirty-four-minute stadium blackout that left players, fans and viewers in the dark.
And while there is sure to be some fallout for the city of New Orleans and the Superdome, the truth is – disasters happen – even when you least expect them. So what can you do to prepare for the unexpected? Download Agility's Power and Generator Checklist for tips on how to plan, prepare and recover from future power outages.
Whether the entire world is watching or just your customers, the importance of preparedness cannot be overstated.
If you have additional questions or would like to talk with a recovery professional about your business continuity needs visit www.agilityrecovery.com or call 866-364-9696.
Posted by Sarah Rixey on Mon, Jan 14, 2013
As part of our comprehensive disaster recovery planning services, Agility Recovery Solutions sends out a free weekly tip through email. If you would like to receive these tips, please sign up here.
Flu Update
The influenza outbreak has reached epidemic proportions in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said Friday. The number of states reporting widespread activity rose from 41 to 47 in one week. Click here for a snapshot of flu activity in your state.
In response, Agility Recovery is hosting a free webinar this Wednesday featuring Dr. Michael Jhung, lead medical officer in the CDC's Influenza Division who will update us on the current status of the outbreak and the severity throughout the nation. Join us as we discuss how to reduce risk, prevent transmission of the virus and maintain a healthy work environment.
The 2013 Flu Outbreak: Risks and Ways to Prepare
Guest Speaker: Dr. Michael Jhung, CDC
Wednesday, January 16th – 2:00 PM EST
Click here to register
If you have additional questions or would like to talk with a recovery professional about your business continuity needs visit www.agilityrecovery.com or call 866-364-9696.
Posted by Mark Norton on Wed, Jan 09, 2013
Business Continuity Practices in a Football Game?
I love football. The playoffs are the best time of year for me so it was no surprise my weekend was filled watching it. However I was surprised to see how basic business continuity practices entered my TV Screen hours before the initial playoff game when the Colts put their business continuity plan into action.
Hours before their “win or go home” 
game on Saturday, Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians was rushed to the hospital with an undisclosed illness. Shortly after arriving at the hospital it was determined Arians would not attend the AFC wild-card game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens.
<Insert Audible Here> Quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen had to quickly step up and call the offensive plays in Arians' absence. Going into the game, the passing offense of the Colts ranked seventh in the league with the average of 258 yards per game while the rushing offense is just averaging 104.4 yards per game, 21st in the league. How did they do with new play-caller Clyde Christensen on Saturday?
267 yards passing and 152 yards rushing. Not bad.
With greater production than their team had averaged throughout the season it seems appropriate to call their business continuity program a success. So what business continuity practices did the Colts use to have such a smooth transition just hours before their big game?
- The Colts knew their backup. They didn’t have to have a meeting to collaborate and figure out the best option. They already knew it was Clyde.
- Their backup (Quarterbacks - Coach Clyde Christensen) was very familiar with the game plan (Offensive Coordinator - Bruce Arians) used. In fact, he heard every play called for every game, every practice. He studied the playbook and was as familiar as he could be with the plan.
- Clyde Christensen had access to their plan (the playbook). It didn’t take the Colts any time to provide Clyde with the playbook for the game. It wasn’t lost, locked in a computer or safe. It was readily available to them when they needed it.
- Clyde Christensen had the support of the coaching staff and players. Clyde was at every game, every practice and was respected as an individual who could step up if needed.
So how can you incorporate these elements into your business in 2013?
- Make sure you have a backup.
- Make sure your backup is familiar with your job and how to do it in your absence.
- Make sure your backup has access to your plan/strategy.
- 4. Make sure your team understand who your backup is and has experience working with them.
Odds are someone reading this will be out of the office unexpectedly this year. The question is for how long? Some of us will be out for a day or two, but what if it will be for weeks or months? What if you are out when the disaster strikes?
None of us can control what and when things will happen, but we can make sure we have a backup and that they’re trained to step into our role if needed.
In the NFL (a multi-billion dollar industry) the games must go on. Isn’t this also true for your business?
Mark Norton
Sr. Continuity Planner
Agility Recovery
mark.norton@agilityrecovery.com
www.linkedin.com/in/markalannorton/
Posted by Sarah Rixey on Fri, Dec 14, 2012
As part of our comprehensive disaster recovery planning services, Agility Recovery Solutions sends out a free weekly tip through email. If you would like to receive these tips, please sign up here.
The Ripple Effect
As shown by the 2011 Japan Tsunami, it can take months for the effects of natural disasters to reverberate down the supply chain. This year has proven to be no different. As retailers struggle to get their supply chains back up and running, Hurricane Sandy serves as yet another reminder of how important it is for every organization, regardless of size, to make supply chain management a priority.
So, you may be wondering, what can I do? Well, with contract renewals on the table and 2013 planning meetings taking place, now is the perfect opportunity to talk to those you rely on about their recovery capabilities and continuity plans.
To help you with this process, PrepareMyBusiness.org has created a simple vendor assessment form. Use this form to determine your vendors’ ability to continue service despite any sort of interruption. Additionally, if you would like Agility’s assistance in helping to protect your supply chain, please click here.
If you have additional questions or would like to talk with a recovery professional about your business continuity needs visit www.agilityrecovery.com or call 866-364-9696.
Posted by Sarah Rixey on Wed, Nov 21, 2012
As part of our comprehensive disaster recovery planning services, Agility Recovery Solutions sends out a free weekly tip through email. If you would like to receive these tips, please sign up here.
Giving Thanks
With Thanksgiving upon us we wanted to say thank you to all our members, partners, advocates and supporters. Each and every one of you is helping to make North America’s businesses more safe, secure and prosperous. Click here to view our Thanksgiving E-Card.
In the spirit of giving thanks, here are a few ways to express gratitude and give back this holiday season.
From our family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
If you have additional questions or would like to talk with a recovery professional about your business continuity needs visit www.agilityrecovery.com or call 866-364-9696.
Posted by Sarah Rixey on Thu, Aug 16, 2012
As part of our comprehensive disaster recovery planning services, Agility Recovery Solutions sends out a free weekly tip through email. If you would like to receive these tips, please sign up here.
There’s an App for That
It seems more and more companies are designing new applications to help smartphone users prepare, plan for and recover from disaster. Just this summer, the
American Red Cross released two free apps as part of their five part emergency preparedness series.
With so many apps out there, how do you know which ones are worth downloading? To help you narrow it down, we have come up with a list of our top three favorite apps available to both iPhone and Android users. Download them, check them out and get prepared.
- NOAA Now App - The latest information on severe weather in your area including quick status updates about tropical systems or weather watches. From hurricanes to tornadoes, this app covers it all.
- Red Cross First Aid App - Lifesaving information on how to handle the most common first aid situations. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to know first aid.
- FEMA App - Preparedness information for different types of disasters, an interactive checklist for emergency kits, a section to plan emergency meeting locations and information on how to stay safe and recover after a disaster.
Click here for a list of additional mobile resources and applications available for download.
If you have additional questions or would like to talk with a recovery professional about your business continuity needs visit www.agilityrecovery.com or call 866-364-9696.
Posted by Sarah Rixey on Fri, Aug 10, 2012
As part of our comprehensive disaster recovery planning services, Agility Recovery Solutions sends out a free weekly tip through email. If you would like to receive these tips, please sign up here.
Cloud Coverage
10 Years ago, tape backup was the standard solution for backing up company data - mainly because there were no other viable alternatives. Large network storage solutions were primitive, expensive and hard to use. Today, more and more businesses are choosing to back up some or all of their data in the cloud.
What is cloud storage? Cloud based storage and data backup allow businesses to send data over the internet to an off-site server typically hosted by a third party.
While the cloud is growing in popularity, it is important to remember that there's no one-size-fits-all backup solution. What works for one business may not for another.
Click here to find out what solution best fits your business. Have additional questions? Want to know what your peers are doing?
Join the cloud conversation on LinkedIn.
If you have additional questions or would like to talk with a recovery professional about your business continuity needs visit www.agilityrecovery.com or call 866-364-9696.
Posted by Sarah Rixey on Thu, Jul 12, 2012
As part of our comprehensive disaster recovery planning services, Agility Recovery Solutions sends out a free weekly tip through email. If you would like to receive these tips, please sign up here.
Power Play
What is the #1 risk for business disasters? Well, for those of you who missed this
week's webinar, here it is. The main culprit of business downtime is... power loss
Just last week we saw nearly 4.25 million people lose power following the violent storms that whipped through the Mid-Atlantic States. For residences, power outages like these can be a tremendous inconvenience…but for businesses, the loss of power for an extended period of time represents not only an inconvenience, but a direct impact on their profitability.
Don’t let a power outage bring your business to a grinding halt.
Download Agility's Power and Generator Checklist and start preparing today.
To see what other events have caused some of the biggest power outages in the past year,
click here.
If you have additional questions or would like to talk with a recovery professional about your business continuity needs visit www.agilityrecovery.com or call 866-364-9696.
