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. 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