Jon Seals
Security vs openness: The challenge for universities
This new guidance raises the need for the academic community to address what is sometimes perceived to be a fundamental dichotomy between the need for openness and the need for the control of sensitive information.
Information security is most easily understood as being concerned with the protection of three key attributes: confidentiality (keeping information away from those not authorised to access it), integrity (keeping data or information in the form intended), and availability (making sure that information systems can provide information to those authorised to have it whenever needed).
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To Fight Pandemics, Reward Research
THAT frightening word “pandemic” is back in the news. A strain of avian influenza has infected people in China, with a death toll of more than 25 as of late last week. The outbreak raises renewed questions about how to prepare for possible risks, should the strain become more easily communicable or should other deadly variations arise.
Our current health care policies are not optimal for dealing with pandemics. The central problem is that these policies neglect what economists call “public goods”: items and services that benefit many people and can’t easily be withheld from those who don’t pay for them directly.
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http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/05/business/an-economic-cure-for-pandemics.html?
#H7N9 – It’s complicated. Lancet notes virus has evolved from at least 4 origins and has 2 different lineages. Wow!
The novel avian influenza A H7N9 virus originated from multiple reassortment events. The HA gene might have originated from avian influenza viruses of duck origin, and the NA gene might have transferred from migratory birds infected with avian influenza viruses along the east Asian flyway. The 6 internal genes of this virus probably originated from 2 different groups of H9N2 avian influenza viruses, which were isolated from chickens. Detailed analyses also showed that ducks and chickens probably acted as the intermediate hosts leading to the emergence of this virulent H7N9 virus. Genotypic and potential phenotypic differences imply that the isolates causing this outbreak form 2 separate subclasses.
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Why Your Disaster Recovery Strategy May Be a Disaster
Imagine that Hurricane Sandy came knocking at your door. Would your IT infrastructure be safe? Would your staff have a suitable workspace to continue operations? Don’t let your business be a victim of a disaster as some experienced in New York and New Jersey when their cooling systems were forced to power down and flooding killed their network. These events are further explained in an article entitled In Sandy’s Aftermath, Epic Challenges for Data Centers about some of the effects Hurricane Sandy had on data centers. To ensure that your disaster recovery strategy can withstand the test of a disaster, here are four important items to consider.
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Beware of Post-Disaster Fraud
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) urge Illinois residents affected by recent severe storms and flooding to be alert for potential fraud. As federal, state and local officials conduct preliminary damage assessments throughout the state, you can protect yourself by taking the following steps:
- Ask for ID. If someone represents themselves as a federal or state employee, but does not produce identification, ask to see it. A FEMA, IEMA or U.S. Small Business Administration shirt or jacket is not absolute proof of someone's affiliation with the government. Federal and state employees carry official photo identification at all times.
- Safeguard personal information. Do not give personal information such as social security and bank account numbers to individuals who visit your home claiming to be affiliated with the government. Federal, state and local assessment teams never require this information.
- Under no circumstances are FEMA, IEMA or SBA representatives allowed to accept money. If someone claiming to be a federal or state employee attempts to collect money, report the person and their vehicle number to your local police department.
Those who suspect someone of committing fraudulent activities should call the FEMA Fraud Hotline at 1-866-720-5721.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow FEMA online at twitter.com/femaregion5, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.
Media Contact: Cassie Ringsdorf, FEMA, 312-408-4455 and Patti Thompson, IEMA, 217-836-0742
Terrorism: understanding & mitigation
The World Economic Forum recently issued its 8th report on Global Risks. It examines different threats on a twin axis of impact and likelihood. It should come as no surprise that terrorism remains towards the higher end of the spectrum, a fact of particular concern given that it can have an immediate financial impact.
While developed countries have suffered comparatively few major attacks since 9/11, in general global terrorist activity has increased significantly over the past decade. If anything, the fragmentation of Al Qaeda has brought greater unpredictability as new groups emerge that may share Al Qaeda's beliefs but are not funded by them. Some of the most high-profile attacks over recent years have been the Madrid bombings in 2004 (where 191 people died and damage was $125m), the London attacks in 2005 and Mumbai in 2008 (where 170 people died and damage to three hotels totalled more than $110m) plus suicide bombings across Moscow.
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Despite Recent Disasters, Survey Shows Most Small Business Owners Still Not Getting Prepared
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Despite the devastation and lasting effects caused by Superstorm Sandy and other disasters over the past year, 70 percent of small businesses don't consider themselves at risk for experiencing a similar disaster in the future, according to a new survey from FedEx Corp. FDX +2.88% and the American Red Cross.
Fewer than 10 percent of small businesses surveyed report taking any disaster preparedness actions based on the effects of Sandy. Even those small businesses which have been impacted by Hurricane Sandy or another disaster (13 percent were impacted by Hurricane Sandy, eight percent impacted by other local/regional disasters), half feel it's unlikely they will be affected again in the next five years.
This lack of concern by many small businesses has led FedEx and the American Red Cross to take action to help boost preparedness levels across the country.
"Preparedness is a lot like working out and eating healthy--people know they should do it, but it's not always at the top of the list," says Tom Heneghan, manager of preparedness for the American Red Cross. "Developing an emergency preparedness plan is one of the most important strategic decisions a small business owner will make."
While most small businesses aren't worried about the next disaster, 51 percent do have a plan in place to continue providing services to customers if one does happen. Most of their plans center on technology and the fear of losing data, with 92 percent having data back-up and 81 percent having server recovery plans in place. But for the 49 percent of businesses that don't have any plan, one disaster could mean the end of their business.
"When small businesses are strong and growing, everyone benefits," said Shane O'Connor, program advisor, FedEx Global Citizenship. "A startling number of small businesses are unable to recover after a disaster, and anything we can do to prevent that is well worth the effort."
The Red Cross Ready Rating(TM) program helps businesses, schools and other organizations become prepared for disasters and other emergencies. Ready Rating is a free service, and members have access to one-of-a-kind tools, resources and information for evaluating and improving their ability to withstand disaster, maintain operations, and protect lives and property.
The Red Cross recommends several steps that all small business owners should do to prepare themselves and their employees for disasters:
1. Obtain necessary safety equipment - Budget for and purchase any safety equipment, first-aid kits, Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs), fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and shelter-in-place supplies that may be needed. Make sure employees know how to access and use these supplies.
2. Write a plan for responding to emergencies. Be sure to include:
-- A system for warning employees about emergencies and communicating with employees and local emergency officials during a disaster or emergency.
-- Considerations for the special needs of employees with disabilities and medical conditions.
-- Evacuation routes from your facility and an established location where employees should gather.
-- Provisions and a location for employees to shelter-in-place.
3. Develop a Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) - This plan will help keep the business operating as it responds and recovers from the effects of a disaster or emergency situation.
-- Identify essential business functions and staff to carry out these functions.
-- Establish agreements and procedures with suppliers, vendors and other businesses critical to daily operations.
-- Create a plan for conducting business if the facility is not accessible.
-- Identify records and documents that must be readily accessible to perform essential functions and set up electronic backup systems so they can be safely stored and retrieved quickly.
For more tips and information, including a downloadable 'SMBe Prepared Playbook' created in conjunction with Joe Gibbs, NFL hall of fame coach and small business owner, visit http://www.readyrating.org/JoinNowFedEx.aspx.
Survey Methodology
Issues Answers Global Marketing Research conducted telephone surveys with 200 small businesses in February 2013 to understand small businesses perceived likelihood of being affected by a disaster or emergency and to gauge their current level of disaster preparedness, while also determining whether recent events have affected small businesses and/or prompted them to take additional steps towards disaster/emergency preparedness. Small businesses were defined as organizations with at least seven, but less than 100, employees.
About FedEx
FedEx Corp. FDX +2.88% provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $44 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 300,000 team members to remain "absolutely, positively" focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.
About the American Red Cross Ready Rating Program
The American Red Cross Ready Rating program is a free, self-guided program designed to help businesses, organizations and schools become better prepared for emergencies. Members complete a 123-point self-assessment of their level of preparedness and have access to tools, tips and best practices to help improve their level of preparedness. The 123 Assessment has been aligned with the federal government's Private Sector Preparedness standards (PS-Prep). For more information, please visit http://www.readyrating.org/JoinNowFedEx.aspx.
How to Close Your Next IT Outsourcing Deal: Handshake vs. Contract
CIO — Would you trade your thousand-page outsourcing contract--the one that provides commitment, certainty, and clear-cut requirements and pricing--for a much simpler master services agreement and a handshake with your IT service provider?
Thomas Young, partner at outsourcing consultancy and research firm Information Services Group (ISG), thinks you should.
For years, outsourcing industry experts have likened a successful outsourcing relationship to a happy marriage--one that requires mutual hard work, assurance and respect to last in the long term. But rather than marrying your next outsourcing provider, Young argues, why not take the outsourcer out on a date and see how things go?
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http://www.cio.com/article/732768/How_to_Close_Your_Next_IT_Outsourcing_Deal_Handshake_vs._Contract
China Cracks Down on Internet Bird Flu Rumors
BEIJING — Chinese authorities have detained two Internet users for allegedly spreading rumors about the new bird flu virus on the nation's top Twitter-like microblogging site, Sina Weibo.
The two Internet users, surnamed Li and Gong, deliberately created the online rumors as a way to draw attention, according to a Thursday posting from China's State Internet Information Office.
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http://www.cio.com/article/732756/China_Cracks_Down_on_Internet_Bird_Flu_Rumors
Survey Reveals More than Half of Real Estate Companies Lack Business Continuity and Disaster Recover
HARTFORD, Conn. — At a time when extreme weather events are frequently occurring, leaders within the United States commercial real estate industry are largely unprepared to maintain daily business operations according to a recent IndustryEdge®survey conducted by Travelers (NYSE: TRV). The results indicate that 57 percent of real estate owners and managers are operating without a business continuity plan.
Perhaps most alarming is that 43 percent of the 200 real estate industry professionals did not consider natural disasters to be an important business issue. "The lack of preparation could be detrimental for real estate managers and owners," said Deb Denker, Real Estate Industry Manager, Travelers Commercial Accounts. "To survive the increasing number and severity of disasters, real estate owners and managers need a strategic business continuity plan to help minimize downtime, organize a response and deploy the resources needed for a prompt recovery."
Even a "minor" property loss can impact the ability to maintain a building, while a major event can have a material effect on a company's operation and financial condition. "It is easy to see how developing a business continuity plan, testing its effectiveness and carrying proper insurance can be put aside in the rush of everyday operations, but organizations need to look at the long-term vitality of their business and prepare for emergencies and disasters," said Denker. "Travelers can help real estate owners and managers through risk control services designed to help them prevent losses from occurring, through broad coverage to respond when a loss does occur, and through expert claim handling to minimize the total cost of a loss."
One example of Travelers value-added risk control services is the 'Business Continuity Planning Guide.' This guide not only helps companies understand basic fundamentals of business continuity and disaster management, it also provides detailed instructions in creating a business continuity plan in four steps:
1. Conduct a Risk Assessment: The overall goal in conducting a risk assessment is to understand the vulnerability of an incident on your employees, customers, vendors, property and operations.
2. Conduct a Business Impact Analysis: The goal of the business impact analysis is developing a list of the functions or processes that are needed for the survival of your business.
3. Develop Prevention and Mitigation Strategies: Prevention and mitigation planning and activities are intended to help prevent a disaster (such as a fire or explosion from unsafe conditions), as well as reduce the impact or severity of a disaster (such as relocating critical equipment to a higher elevation in flood-susceptible areas).
4. Conduct Exercises and Testing: It is critical to test your plan routinely and evaluate its effectiveness, making necessary changes to improve the plan.
A business continuity plan is not a "one-shot" project. It is an integral part of an effective business strategy. A completed plan should be reviewed, tested and updated regularly if it is to be effective when put into action.
In addition to offering the core lines of commercial insurance such as property, workers' compensation, commercial auto, general liability and umbrella, the Travelers IndustryEdge®products and services provide specialized coverage for real estate owners and managers and their properties.
About Travelers
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. The company's diverse business lines offer its global customers a wide range of coverage sold primarily through independent agents and brokers. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, Travelers has more than 30,000 employees and operations in the U.S., Canada, U.K. and Ireland. The company generated revenues of approximately $26 billion in 2012. For more information, visit www.travelers.com.
