March 2020 Chapter Meeting - COVID-19 Round Table


For those of us in the profession of disaster recovery and business continuity, this is a very busy time! We are fully engaged in updating our knowledge and tools for helping our companies navigate this event, one of the most impactful in a generation.
 
On March 20, Russ Laughlin of the Oracle Corporation updated the group on the types of responses required of very large, multi-national organizations.  See his presentation here.  Russ then led a round-table discussion with ideas and suggestions offered by those on the virtual meeting. 
 
Suggestions from the Group

  • Keep virtual war rooms open and ensure visibility to management
  • Provide department/location updates frequently
  • Upgrade backend support for  work from home (WFH) employees
  • Test WFH on alternate days
  • Keep video off during conference calls to reduce load on network
  • Check with government rules in other countries; may not allow WFH; policies are evolving
  • Check your VPN and software licenses to see if upgrades are needed; check loads for all connections as you may not need VPN for everything; download to cloud; ban some programs (i.e., Netflix)
  • Watch for personal use devices.  Cyber security protocols are a must – attacks have escalated
  • Follow HR dictates when announcing status of employees as this is a very sensitive topic.  HIPAA changes may be expected.   Watch for discrimination/harassment problems. 
 
Our members share their expertise whenever possible. Listed below is additional information on responding to the COVID-19 global threat provided by Elizabeth (Lizz) Floro, Continuity & Critical Infrastructure Coordinator, Office of Emergency Management City and County of Denver.
 
Pubic-facing Sites
 
Denver government COVID-19 Page
https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/environmental-health/news/coronavirus-info.html

Denver Travel Page
https://www.denver.org/about-denver/travel-advisory/ 

FEMA Continuity Pandemic Annex Template
https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/98731

CDC Link
About Human Coronavirus 

CDC Link
www.flu.gov

CDC Link
Emergency Preparedness & Response - Pandemic Resources

HHS Link
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Epidemic/Pandemic
https://www.dhs.gov/epidemicpandemic