Posted by Matt Spada on Fri, Aug 20, 2010
With our headquarters in Charlotte, NC, Agility Recovery is just far enough north to get a few freak snow or ice storms each year, but still south enough to have limited snow/ice removal infrastructure compared to what's available in other parts of the country.
As a result, a few times each year Agility has delay the opening of our main office (as directed by our disaster recovery plan) and some employees ultimately work from home. To spread the word of our delayed opening, our CEO Bob Boyd uses Agility's own Alert Notification system - to send text and email messages directly to our mobile phones. As you may know, this Alert Notification system is a standard feature of myAgility (included with every ReadySuite package).
Here's some more information on myAgility:
To ensure our ReadySuite members’ needs are met and our resources remain current, we have created a simple online planning tool called myAgility, the backbone of our ReadySuite solution. Through myAgility, organizations may store, view and update their pertinent recovery-planning information using a secure, password-protected Web portal. Anytime. Anywhere.
MYAGILITY FEATURES
- Specify resource needs at time of recovery
- Develop an internal communication strategy
- Develop contact databases for easy communication via the Alert Notification System
- Input, update and store fixed-asset inventory information
- Upload and store critical documents such as insurance policies, product warranties, data back-up procedures and more
myAgility was designed with our members in mind. Get to know your customized portal today. Becoming familiar with the tools and resources available will minimize your downtime should you have an interruption to your business.
For more information, call us at 866.364.9696 or email us.
Posted by Mark Norton on Wed, May 05, 2010
While continuing to follow the latest updates to the BP / Gulf Coast oil spill (that has claimed 11 lives and now threatens hundreds of species of wildlife along the Gulf shores, and which in 35 days is projected to be larger than the Exxon Valdez) I grew sad to learn of the underlying problem complicating this huge catastrophe that has transformed the Gulf Coast in just a few days - failure to plan.
On Saturday, May 1st, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, was still waiting for a plan from BP on how to protect the state's coast from the massive oil spill. Nine days had already passed. Over 600 National Guard soldiers were on duty to help contain the spill with another 1,000 on standby; however no one had received any marching orders. Meanwhile the oil slick continues to expand from roughly the size of Rhode Island to something closer to the size of Puerto Rico, populating the normally blue-green gulf waters with sticky, pea- to quarter-sized brown beads of oil.
The reason they are waiting is because there was never a plan. BP had no plan for a major oil spill because in 2009 the company determined it was unlikely, or virtually impossible, for an accident to occur that would lead to a giant crude oil spill and serious danger to wildlife. BP Spokesperson David Nicholas stated, "The sort of occurrence that we've seen on the Deepwater Horizon is clearly unprecedented." While I agree this event is unprecedented, I challenge their thinking that such an event was virtually impossible. Since BP did not plan adequately for a worst-case scenario, they also failed to address the kind of technology needed to control a spill at that depth of water. And so we wait...we wait for one to be developed for an event that has already happened - one whose effects are being compared to those of a Category 5 hurricane.
The results of BP's planning failure will undoubtedly have an impact on most of us. However, my hope is that we use this disaster as a reminder to the rest of us - to plan for our worst-case scenario, no matter how unlikely. I encourage everyone to take a second or third (or first!) look into your disaster recovery plans and determine if the preparation we rely on is fit to handle that virtually impossible occurrence. The historic satellite image of the oil spill on the Gulf will always serve as a reminder for me that worst-case disasters do happen and we all need to have a plan.
- Mark Norton
Associate Continuity Planner
Agility Recovery Solutions
Agility Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Solutions
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Posted by Matt Spada on Fri, Mar 19, 2010
I wanted to take a moment and talk about what's been going on at Agility over the last couple days...
As you're probably aware, there is flooding going on in a couple areas of the United States (during National Flood Awareness Week no less...), and (as of this writing) Agility has four ongoing recoveries taking place in our own little disaster recovery version of March Madness. We're responding to Members from New England all the way to North Dakota; in industries as diverse as banking, insurance and technology services. These recoveries include everything from providing laptops so that employees can work remotely, all the way to full recoveries (with mobile offices, technology, generators and satellites for connectivity).
It's pretty cool to watch my colleagues in our Client Services and Operations teams come together to reassure Members over the phone and coordinate the actual recoveries with the assistance of our incredible Operations staff in Atlanta and Mississauga - not to mention the teams out in the field doing the actual setup. While you can get your business back up and running by yourself, it has become clear to me that having trained experienced professionals on your side is invaluable. They know which questions to ask, can anticipate problems before they happen, and besides getting access to the obvious elements of recovery, they think of all the little things that will really add up over the next few days and weeks.
While the rest of the country will be spending their weekends enjoying March Madness and taking advantage of the beautiful Spring weather we're currently seeing in Charlotte - they'll be taking calls, setting up, and getting our Members back in business.
Here's to them - and their hard work over the next couple days.
To everyone else - have a great weekend, and stay dry.
Posted by Ben Pritchard on Fri, Jan 22, 2010
While some of us are not sales professionals per se, we sell every day in one way or another. We "sell" our spouses on buying the cable subscription for Monday Night Football and our children on completing their homework or going to bed on time (actually, "bribe" may be a better word...). We sell our friends on checking out a new hotspot and we try to sell our bosses on the idea of a raise (note to my boss - you know who you are).
Given that, in our own way, we are all experienced sales people, why do we have trouble selling the concept of business continuity and disaster recovery planning
to business management? The only answer I can come up with is that we assume they
don't believe it's a necessity and/or they don't believe they will ever face a disaster.
Just a few minutes of research on websites such as FEMA, KPMG, EMC2, Disaster Recovery Journal or our very own Agility Recovery Solutions reveal all sorts of thought provoking information. With that in mind, here are some statistics that should scare any sane business owner/board member and aid you in your mission to sell a concept which, strictly speaking, should sell itself:
- 43% of businesses that experience a disaster never re-open. Source: US Department of Labor
- 29% of businesses that experience a disaster will re-open, but never fully recover and will close their doors for good within 2 years. Source: The Hartford's Guide to Emergency Preparedness Planning published by The Hartford Financial Services Group
- 52% of businesses experienced an interruption or disaster of some kind within the last 2 years. Source: 2009 Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Surveyconducted by Hughes Marketing Group & Agility Recovery Solutions.
After being aware of these facts do you think your company can dodge a bullet? Your board/owner/boss needs to be informed. You should publicize these stats and encourage them to take heed.
On a more positive note:
- Having a comprehensive disaster recovery plan means you are better prepared for a disaster and more likely to keep your business up and running, with minimum interruption.
- Testing your disaster recovery plan is critical. It allows you to determine what works best and what doesn't. The information learned during a test can help amend your plan so that when a disaster does strike you're able to recover more effectively and efficiently.
- Working with your vendors and 3rd party disaster recovery consultant/provider improves the chances of survival. They will help you get your hands on the things you need to keep your business functioning.
- A well developed, tested, up-to-date disaster recovery plan is an "insurance policy"; if the worst occurs you know you are covered. It will help you quickly react, and minimize any damage.
What it boils down to is this; at some point in time a disaster will
happen, whether it's natural or facilities or resources related. If you have a comprehensive disaster recovery plan which has been tested and regularly revised then your chances of survival are greatly increased. If you don't, you are playing Russian roulette and the odds are stacked against you.
Does your boss really want to run the risk of a failing business? Or disrupting customers? Or forcing their employees out of work? Who will be left to pick up the pieces? Ask them. Remind them that disaster recovery planning
doesn't have to be expensive, and emphasize the point until you can see true progress.
For more information on how to gain management support join us on Wednesday, January 27 at 2:00 p.m. EST for a free educational webinar - Securing Management Buy-in for Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity. Register today!!
- Ben Pritchard
Agility Recovery Solutions
Agility Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Solutions
Follow us on Twitter here.
Posted by Matt Spada on Mon, Dec 14, 2009
There's that inevitable point when meeting someone for
the first time... Usually it's immediately following the first awkward pause,
where whatever you were initially chatting about reaches a natural end, and you
find yourself staring down at the drink in your hand. At these moments, there
are a few go-to topics: a) the weather, b) [insert local sports team] and c) "what
do you do for a living?"
When I mention that I work for a disaster recovery company,
most people aren't exactly sure what that means (or if you're like my
grandmother, you envision your grandson dangling precariously out of
helicopter, rescuing small animals post-Katrina). And for the sake of casual
banter, the best way in my experience to explain disaster recovery is to equate
it to insurance. There are natural parallels - especially given how Agility
structures our services into memberships - you pay us a small monthly fee, and if
you ever need us, we're there. No matter what.
Of course, having a business continuity plan and having
insurance are not the same things.
But they are complimentary to each other, and when used effectively, together they
can be the glue that holds your business together during an interruption. In
addition, there are also many misconceptions about the roles and interactions of
business continuity plans and insurance. Complex policies and coverages can lead to equally
daunting questions, such as:
- Is building a continuity plan enough?
- Do we carry enough coverage on our building?
- What costs would be incurred during a recovery?
This Wednesday, December 16th at 2pm, Agility Recovery Solutions will
be hosting another installment of our free webinar program, featuring Donald
Long, Manager of Business Risk and Continuity Planner with Kingsway America, Inc.
Don has more than twenty years experience on the subject, and the program will
be an incredibly valuable experience, as he discusses how to address these
questions and more.
Listen in, watch and learn. At the very least, there won't
be any awkward pauses.
- Matt Spada
Agility Recovery Solutions
Agility Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity Solutions
blog.agilityrecovery.com
Follow us on Twitter here
Posted by Matt Spada on Fri, Oct 09, 2009
The following webinar originally took place on 09.16.09 with Dr. William Lang (click to view Pandemic Planning webinar recap).
IMPORTANT NOTE: Some of these questions are fairly specific. General commentary on H1N1-2009 cannot substitute for individual medical advice! Also, the findings and recommendations for dealing with H1N1 are changing frequently, so people should monitor a trusted information source, and (especially those at high risk) should ask their physician for guidance if unsure.
Q1: Should people have 2 vaccinations: regular flu shot as well as the 2009 H1N1 when available? Will doctors clinics do that or just want to give you the regular flu shot? Will the seasonal vaccine counteract the H1N1 flu (make the vaccine for H1N1 less effective)? This was suggested in findings online.
A1: Most people should receive both vaccinations. The "regular" or seasonal flu shot is available now and people should get that as soon as possible. The H1N1-2009 vaccination will be available beginning next month on a rolling schedule with priority set by each state. By the way, there is no cost for the vaccine (the US Government has purchased all of it), but providers may charge for administration. There is theoretically some risk of decreased effectiveness of live virus vaccinations (the intranasal spray versions) if they are administered too closely together, but this should not apply to the more common injectable vaccination.
Q2: Is the "regular" flu shot still recommended? Our office supplies seasonal flu shots each year. Should these still be offered? And should we inquire about adding the H1N1 to that plan?
A2: Yes, the "regular" flu shot is most definitely recommended. For H1N1, your office should check with your occupational health provider to see if they have signed up with your state to be an authorized vaccine "site." There are 90,000 providers in the country who have signed up to be vaccinators, but the details are being handled on a state-by-state basis, as is the distribution of vaccine. Also, remember that this vaccine has a prioritization to it. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended that the following groups receive the vaccine before others: pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, health care and emergency medical services personnel with direct patient contact, children 6 months through 4 years of age, and children 5 through 18 years of age who have chronic medical conditions. Because of this, it will likely be late fall before vaccinations are generally available.
Q3: Once you have a seasonal flu shot, how long is it good for? Once you have a H1N1 flu shot, how long will it last? Can you contract the Flu by getting the vaccine?
A3: Immunity from a flu shot lasts for different lengths of time in different people, but in most cases, the highest immunity lasts 6 to 9 months, although there is usually some immunity that lasts indefinitely. Also, remember that the flu vaccine changes every year to try to match the currently circulating flu virus, which is constantly changing. This means that even if the immunity created by a flu vaccine is prolonged, it might not be applicable to the next year's circulating virus. This information applies to any flu vaccination, but the new H1N1 has not been around long enough to have confirmatory studies on how long immunity lasts. You can't get the flu from a flu shot (people who have immune system difficulties or live with others with immune system difficulties should not typically receive the nasal spray vaccine, but that is a different issue).
Q4: Should people who aren't in the "high risk" categories still get the vaccine?
A4: Expect that more guidance will come out over the next month or so, but the guidance currently is that once high-risk populations are vaccinated, everyone should consider vaccination. That has benefit not only to the person receiving the vaccine, but it also will help stop the community circulation of the virus, thus helping the pandemic to "burn-out." Remember, for most people, the H1N1-2009 illness is not severe, but in a small, but unpredictable, subset of the population, the virus can cause severe disease. While all vaccinations have a small risk of adverse effects, the current public health thinking is that the risk of severe disease in an unvaccinated person is higher than the risk of significant side effects from the vaccine.
Q5: Can a person get H1N1 more than once?
A5: H1N1 is only one subtype of flu virus, but there are many strains of H1N1. Someone may (in fact, most people probably have) been infected with some type of H1N1 flu virus at some point in their life, but not with this H1N1-2009 strain. In most cases, you cannot become ill with the same strain of H1N1 (or any other flu virus) a second time (and even if you do become infected, the illness would likely be very minimal).
Q6: Can you be a carrier of the virus without displaying symptoms?
A6: It appears that people can be infected (and then infectious) and have little or no symptoms. There does not, however, appear to be a prolonged "carrier" state. Some people just have a very minimal infection.
Q7: I have heard of cases where doctors are telling people they have H1N1, but they don't test for it. How is this monitored--relative to accurate surveillance?
A7: Currently, ongoing surveillance has demonstrated that over 97% of all circulating flu in this country is H1N1-2009. Consequently, if someone has an "Influenza-like illness" the overwhelming likelihood is that they have H1N1-2009. Since we know that, and since the treatment (if any) does not depend on the type of flu, there is no need to confirm flu type in each person. Surveillance (essentially spot-checking) in certain clinics continues so that we do continue to have an idea of how the outbreak is changing over time (see Answer A13).
Q8: We had an employee that was tested for the 2009 H1N1 two weeks ago and hasn't heard the results. What is the time frame for the patient to hear back from their doctor on these tests?
A8: There are many different types of tests. A non-specific office-based test can tell if you have influenza (with fairly high accuracy, although not perfect) right away, but confirmatory typing can take several days, especially given the volume of specimens being submitted. But see Answer 7: it doesn't really matter to most individual cases. The purpose for confirmatory typing is to help health officials manage the epidemic. Unless someone requires hospitalization, then confirming the specific type of flu is less important to managing an individual patient.
Q9: CDC is not recommending antivirals be given on preventative basis. How are companies using/distributing them given this new guidance?
A9: There are really three reasons to give an individual antiviral medications: For treatment, for prophylaxis (i.e., taking after a fairly certain close exposure in order to prevent development of illness), and to have on-hand for immediate use if symptoms develop. In order to be sure that there is an adequate supply of antivirals to treat those at high-risk or who are developing more severe symptoms, CDC is discouraging use for treatment in low-risk people, for prophylaxis (except those at high risk with confirmed exposure), and for "pre-need" distribution. Some companies, however, have pre-arranged for availability of antivirals for their staff so they can ensure access to medications without regard to what is happening to supply issues in the community. As long as there is a provider-based system for distributing and educating employees on appropriate use of antivirals, this is very good. Pre-distribution without education and provider involvement increases the risk that antivirals may be used inappropriately, thus decreasing their availability when needed. One important consideration that CDC does not address is that some companies (working with their providers) may choose to give a "stand-by" course of antivirals to employees who are traveling frequently (especially internationally), so that they have a sure supply should they begin to develop illness while on the road (ideally they also have a means to talk to a provider before they actually start taking). This is a good strategy.
Q10: Can you comment on any additional risk around children with epilepsy and H1N1?
A10: That issue is probably best discussed with a pediatrician and/or neurologist as there are so many individualized considerations.
Q11: What about people with asthma and diabetes, how should they handle the possibility of H1N1?
A11: Chronic medical conditions such as those do put the person at higher risk, so vaccination is important (NOT the intranasal vaccine in anyone with asthma!). It is also important to seek care early if the person develops any signs of H1N1 infection as this person would be someone who should start antivirals as soon as possible. Some providers are prescribing "stand-by" courses of antivirals for these people to keep at home so they can start taking treatment at the earliest signs of illness (after contacting their provider). This is an "off-label" use of antivirals, however.
Q12: What are your thoughts about the 5 year old boy in Tennessee who died from flu? He had no known pre-existing conditions.
A12: There are a number of troubling cases like this around the world where otherwise healthy individuals have developed severe infections. Scientists do not know why this happens, but it does. It is important to note that this also happens with seasonal flu, but it's not national news when it does, and it does seem to happen somewhat more frequently with this flu than regular seasonal flu (or it may just be that the high number of cases in the population because of the lack of immunity makes it appear that this happens at a higher rate). In any event, these unpredictable severe courses means that anyone developing worrisome symptoms (especially respiratory problems) should contact a physician ASAP. It also provides the best reason to get vaccinated when available.
Q13: Will they resume testing once the regular season flu hits as well, so they can differentiate between the two?
A13: That type of testing is ongoing for exactly that reason (See http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly)
Q14: With all the media hype, do you think that it has helped decrease the number of deaths?
A14: Public awareness has made people more aware that preventive measures (hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, social distancing, avoiding those who appear ill, not coming to work/school ill, etc.) can be effective, so the spread of the outbreak has probably been blunted somewhat. Because of that, it probably has helped decrease deaths (although see the answer to Q15). There is a fine line, however, between education/awareness and "hype" but that is a long discussion!
Q15: Have the new cases shown an increase in deaths as well?
A15: Interestingly, there has not been an increase in the number of "pneumonia and influenza" related deaths over this summer, despite a significant increase in flu cases (there is a graph on the CDC FluView website (see A13 that addresses this directly).
Q16: At this point it has not mutated correct?
A16: As far as virologists can tell, there have been no significant circulating mutations. There have been 21 cases of anti-viral resistance, but these appear to be isolated mutations that have not propagated (spread).
Q17: If fever is gone but still coughing should we insist on employees staying home until symptoms are fully gone?
A17: The guidance is back and forth on when employees can come back to work. It is important to note that a "post viral cough" can last several weeks after a respiratory virus infection and it is NOT evidence of continued infection, so the presence or absence of a cough is not a good determinant. Follow local public health guidance and check for CDC updates, but in the absence of more specific guidance, a good rule of thumb (for adults, at least) is that once the fever has subsided (WITHOUT the use of anti-fever meds, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen) for at least 24 hours, and other major symptoms such as sore throat and body aches/pains have cleared, then a person is probably no longer infectious. Fatigue and mild non-productive cough may continue for a few days (or longer for the cough), but those are not indicative of continued infection.
Q18: How do you suggest combating pandemic fatigue?
A18: Education. People need to have a good source of non-hyped information ("just the facts, ma'am") on the current status as well as what they can do to prevent spread. Remind people that if everyone takes the appropriate, reasonable, preventive measures as discussed, we can help keep this outbreak from spreading. If we're successful, then we can potentially make this a non-event. The difficulty is that if we all do the right, reasonable, things and there is no big outbreak, we'll never know if that is because of our good efforts or because the virus smoldered out on its' own. Doing the simple things are so "low-cost" however, that it's not worth risking the outbreak!
Q19: How do you get buy-in from upper management in a business that is reluctant to have a high profile pandemic preparedness plan?
A19: The most important thing is education. Doing the "right thing" to educate the employees, to take basic preventive measures, and to have an "all-hazards" contingency operations plan that can be adapted to the current situation is just good business with minimal costs. For companies that are big enough to have Sarbanes-Oxley apply, some legal experts have suggested that failing to take appropriate measures for a reasonably foreseeable event, such as an ongoing outbreak, could have Sarbanes-Oxley related consequences (but I'm not a lawyer so before using that with senior management, check with corporate counsel!).
Q20: Aside from staffing issues, what other significant Human Resource issues have you seen? For example how do you handle employees with no sick time and are told to stay home?
A20: One of the biggest HR related issues is how to deal with contractors. Typically, contractors are incentivized to come to work no matter what. That would be counter-productive in this environment. Another major issue is how to deal with the situation where schools are closed because of an outbreak. If employees have to put their children in day-care type settings, instead of school, the kids are probably at even higher risk of spreading the illness and getting the employees infected when they come home. Shift-work and telework have been found to be effective strategies for dealing with these situations. If there are employees with no sick-time who are ill with influenza-like symptoms, they have the potential to significantly impair overall productivity if they come to work and cause others to become infected, so some strategy to allow them to remain out of work is important. To the greatest extent possible, it is not good to require employees to have a doctors' note to stay out of work or to return to work. The medical system has the potential to be overloaded and this would significantly contribute to that as well as putting employees in the epicenter of infection (if they have to go to a hospital/clinic to get the note).
Q21: If there is a reported case of H1N1 how do you balance the notifying a response team (cleaning crew etc) while balancing the employees privacy (HIPPA)?
A21: One strategy that some organizations have used is to assume that any employee who is out of work for unscheduled reasons may have been infectious. The cleaning that is required is just good basic cleaning and does not require extensive precautions on the part of cleaning crews. Wiping touch surfaces with basic office cleaners is the most important component of H1N1 preventive housekeeping (the EPA has a list of cleaners effective against flu virus) Also, if an employee becomes obviously ill at work, it is reasonable to tell cleaning crews that said person left work unexpectedly (without going in to reasons) and to pay special attention to cleaning their workspaces. Specifically in regards to schools, the CDC website says: "CDC does not believe any additional disinfection of environmental surfaces beyond the recommended routine cleaning is required." This same guidance should apply to workplaces.
Q22: Is 2009 H1N1 covered by FMLA?
A22: I'm not an FMLA expert, but my understanding is that H1N1-2009 is like any other disease as far as FMLA is concerned.
Q23: What trusted sources should we use to monitor?
A23: The CDC website is very good and their weekly briefings, including the Q&A sessions, are excellent. The weekly briefings are buried in the website, however. Once on the H1N1 flu page, go to "Audio and Video" then "Press Briefings." They are, however, addressing everything from a purely public health point-of-view and cannot tailor their recommendations to businesses / large organizations effectively. The best "trusted source" would be a local occupational health or infectious disease consultant who can synthesize the public health recommendations with the local specifics.
(WARNING...this last section is not unbiased information, but since the question was asked!) The company I work for, Shoreland, Inc. is an internationally-known provider of multi-source, integrated, medical analysis and recommendations on health issues for organizations. We address issues ranging from H1N1 to Avian flu to travel health and provide ongoing "push" brief updates/analysis via email as key health-related issues develop or change. This increases productivity as your staff does not have to use their time each day to see what new health related developments have occurred in the world.
