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Emergency Planning

Remote workers a security risk

 While most employees working from remote locations say they are aware of security risks, some persist in risky online behavior — sharing work computers with non-employees, opening unknown e-mails, and hijacking neighbors’ wireless networks.

     A survey of 1,000 teleworkers in 10 countries by Cisco Systems found that:

  • More than one in five remote-location workers (21%) allow friends, family members or other non-employees to use his or her work computer to access the Internet.
  • 11% admit that they have used their neighbor’s wireless network, without permission, when working from home.
  • 40% use their work computers for online shopping.
  • 25% of remote workers say they open e-mails from unknown sources.
  • Almost 50% use their own electronic devices, even when they do not have anti-virus or security software, to access corporate resources.

     Says Cisco, the unsafe behavior of a handful of remote workers can bring down a network or compromise corporate information and personal identities. The challenges posed present an opportunity for IT to become more proactive in protecting their businesses and reshaping their role, which has historically been tactical and reactive. IT has the chance to be progressive, says Cisco—to maintain a steady dialogue with users, to implement educational programs tailored to different business cultures and user groups, and to weave security best practices into corporate cultures.

Fact sheet: Preparing for terrorist bombing

A new fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers some common-sense principles on how to prepare for and react to a terrorist bombing. Although terrorists use a variety of methods to inflict harm and fear, says CDC, bombs are used most frequently.

     The new fact sheet provides steps to help organizations, as well as families and individuals, get started in preparing for such an emergency. Among other things, the CDC addresses these questions:

  • What can I do now?
  • What should I do if I think someone is going to set off a bomb?
  • What should I do during a terrorist bombing?
  • What should I do after the bombing?
  • What if rescue worker are not available to transport injured persons?
  • Where should I go for care?
  • What can I expect at the hospital?

     Click here to access the guidance.

FBI’s tips on protecting the workplace

 The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security have made available a series of posters and a brochure that offer guidance on how to protect workplaces from physical and cyber threats. The posters include:

  • Protect Your Workplace: Cyber Security Guidance
  • Report Suspicious Cyber Incidents
  • Protect Your Workplace: Physical Security Guidance
  • Report Suspicious Behavior and Activity

The brochure is a compilation of the content from the posters. These resources can be accessed for free.

New publication on fire service

 OSHA is offering a free manual — intended to help increase the safety of building occupants and emergency responders — that explains how fire service operations can be influenced by different building features.

     Poorly located fire hydrants, inaccessible fire department connections, confusing zone information, unmarked valves, or improperly designed standpipes are examples of features that can slow fire service operations. Delays, however brief, says OSHA, can dramatically affect an operation and its outcome.

     The publication offers considerations for designers of buildings and fire protection systems. It includes chapters and narratives on building and site design, sprinkler systems, fire department connections, fire alarm and communications systems, as well as various firefighting systems.

     OSHA also says many of the manual’s discussions can help during responses for other emergencies such as hazardous materials releases, emergency medical care, and non-fire rescues.

Workplace security: Changes since 9/11

The 9/11 terrorist attacks have caused organizations to make changes to emergency plans and employees to have higher expectations of employers for security, according to a survey by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). When asked about lasting changes made in their workplaces as a result of 9/11, human resource professionals responded:

  • 64% – organizations have put higher security provisions in place
  • 48% – employees have higher expectations of employers for security
  • 34% – employees do not consider travel as glamorous
  • 31% – greater screening of employees for hire
  • 27% – more training in crisis management
  • 26% – business travel has been curtailed
  • 24% – employees are reluctant to travel for business
  • 22% – employees are more wary of work environment

     Ten percent of those polled reported no lasting change in their organizations. The survey was based on the responses of 408 randomly selected human resource professionals.

     Click here for more information on emergency preparedness.

GAO says hospitals not fully prepared for bioterrorism

A report by the General Accounting Office (GAO) shows that hospitals in urban areas across the country have participated in basic planning and coordination activities for bioterrorism response, but lack certain medical capacities for handling an attack. Four out of five hospitals have a written emergency response plan addressing bioterrorism, says the GAO, but many plans omit key contacts, such as laboratories outside the hospital. Almost all hospitals reported participating in a local, state or regional interagency disaster preparedness committee; most also report having provided at least some training to their personnel on identification and diagnosis of diseases caused by biological agents, such as anthrax and botulism. In contrast, fewer than half of hospitals have conducted drills or exercises simulating response to a bioterrorist incident.

    Hospitals also say that they lack the medical equipment necessary for a large influx of patients. For example, if a large number of patients with severe respiratory problems associated with anthrax or botulism were to arrive at a hospital, a comparable number of ventilators would be needed to treat the patients. Yet half of hospitals report having fewer than six ventilators per 100 staffed beds.

In general, larger hospitals report more planning and training activities than smaller hospitals.

     The GAO surveyed nearly 1,500 hospitals in preparing the report, which was mandated by Congress in the Public Health Improvement Act. The report (GAO 03-924) is available on the GAO’s Web site.

HHS offers guidance on air filter systems

Guidance on selecting and using air filtration and air cleaning systems to protect occupants of business and government buildings from chemical, biological or radiological attacks has been issued by federal Heath and Human Services (HHS). The new guidance is intended for building designers, engineers, and others who make the technical decisions regarding the air systems in buildings such as offices, retail facilities, schools, transportation terminals, indoor malls and sports arenas. According to HHS, decisions appropriate for one building may not be appropriate for all buildings. Decision makers need to assess a number of factors, including the intended use of the system, prevention of “filter bypass” or leakage around filters, life-cycle costs for the system and the potential for air leakage through the walls of the building. The guidance also lists a number of key steps for selecting and using appropriate filtration and cleaning.

     The new guidance supplements a May 2002 HHS report on safeguarding buildings against chemical, biological and radiological threats. The earlier report provided broad guidance about many aspects of ventilation systems; the new guidance focuses specifically on filtration systems, which remove particles from the air, and cleaning systems, which remove gases and vapors. In addition to enhancing emergency preparedness, says HHS, the new guidance also has value for reducing risks of occupational respiratory illnesses, improving indoor air quality and reducing maintenance and operating costs.

      The HHS document was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in collaboration with a working group from the Department of Homeland Security.