September: National Preparedness Month

When we hear people talk about "preparedness," we often think of having supplies for that natural disaster, bug-out bags, get-home bags, first-aid supplies, and plenty of water to get by for a few days.  In my own case, I'm a CERT Instructor, so it's natural for me to think about preparedness in terms of these types of things, being prepared to provide security for my home or workplace in case of a disaster, and training CERT teams to be ready to deploy on a search and rescue mission.  Yeah - I'm "that guy" who carries around first-aid kits, emergency tools, my bug-out (get home) bag, and all sorts of emergency roadside assistance tools everywhere I go.  Emergency preparedness in my world is all about not only making sure that I and my family are secure but then being able to help others.

But emergency preparedness is also an important aspect of information security and making sure that our business resources are protected as well.  Now would be a great time to review your system security plans and system documentation.  Make sure that your contingency plan and business continuity plans are up to date.  Update your organizational charts and ensure that all of your emergency contacts, including both internal POCs and your various vendor emergency contacts are up to date.

Updating your telework policies and agreements is also an important aspect of preparedness for the business environment.  Telework locations may serve as the alternative work site for employees who are displaced because of damage or complete loss of their primary office space.  Make sure that your employees are trained for proper storage and security of work-related documents and information.  Ensure that those who are eligible and desire to telework have the proper equipment and an environment at their telework location that is well suited for telework activities.

CISA (US-CERT) released their reminder about emergency preparedness month and has good information about all of the things that I mentioned above, plus some cybersecurity-related issues such as dealing with malware, ransomware, and malicious code, and protecting against identity theft.

• CISA (US-CERT): September is National Preparedness Month: Be Prepared, Not Scared
• Ready.Gov: Prepared, Not Scared
• Ready.Gov: Cybersecurity

Be sure to visit some of the companies with which I have an affiliate relationship to learn about the emergency preparedness products for us humans that I spoke of before.  Great products and a great way to support this blog.

Part of being well prepared for emergency situations at home is having a plan for financial stability.  Visit Jay Morrison Academy to find out about entrepreneurship, homeownership, credit repair, wealth building, and financial education!

Staying Prepared for Terrorist Threats

Continuing with this month's theme of September being "preparedness Month" there is no doubt that terrorist threats are an all too real part of our world now.  And there’s no denying the fact that terrorist incidents are on the rise. While people debate on social media over whether or not the government should use certain terms to describe terrorism, the truth of the matter is that many people are dying from terrorist attacks worldwide.   These attacks have become a very real possibility due to globalization, the influx of refugees, and many other factors.  As a preparedness enthusiast, one doesn’t have the luxury of debating how things should be. Instead, you should be looking at how things currently are and staying prepared for them.  There have been stabbings, shootings, bombings and even people driving vans into crowds hoping to do as much damage to innocent lives as possible. The goal is always to strike terror and fear in the hearts of people.

So, what do you do? Follow the tips below and stay prepared.

Be Alert and Aware… But Don’t Be Fearful:

While a certain degree of fear is to be expected, you shouldn’t let it paralyze you. During the 9/11 terror attacks, millions of people were scared and glued to their TV screens as they watched the same scenes of the Twin Towers repeatedly.  This is pointless and only serves to frighten you further. The first thing you should do is to be aware of your current situation.  There are a few factors that will determine if the area you live in could be a potential target for terrorists. Are you living near a transportation hub or an airport? Do you work in an embassy? Do you live or work close to prominent people?  All these factors will raise the risks of attacks that may affect you. Terrorists always want to cause as much damage as possible. They’ll not travel all the way to a farm in Idaho to bomb a house with two seniors sitting in it. Terrorists want to inflict maximum damage. Asses the threat level in your area.

Be Calm:

Terrorists have a few ways to do as much damage as possible. One method is to have a primary bomb that detonates and kills. Following that, they will have a secondary bomb that is only detonated when the first responders such as the police and medical teams arrive. So, this causes even more damage and panic.  When a bomb goes off, the first instinct for most people is to run away. The second instinct is to rush back in and help those affected within the blast radius. Do NOT make this mistake.  Let the professionals clear the area first. Once it is deemed safe, there will be ways you can volunteer your help.  Also note that if you’re in a high-rise building, do not go to your window to see what’s taking place outside. The force of the second blast may shatter your windows and send glass flying into your face. Always hunker down and plan your next course of action.

Expect Higher Security:

Whenever terrorist incidents occur, security in the area tightens and gets very rigorous. Make sure you have your ID and important documents with you.  Leave a little early for work to get through additional security measures in your building.  Be a part of the increased security measures by locking doors, and watching who closely follows you into doors that you have to badge into.

Besides these tips, you want to be generally aware of the people living around you, the people you work with, etc. Watch what they do, what countries they are from, what their views are, etc.  The more observant you are, the more signs you will pick up, and if something is amiss, you can always contact the authorities. Stay alert always.

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I have a new affiliate relationship with MyMedic, a company that specializes in first aid kits.  Everyone needs to have at least an Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) with them at all times.  Whether out hiking, taking a trip in your car, or working in your office, you need to be prepared.  Check them out and see how they can help you with your first aid needs.

 

Back-to-School Cyber Safety

The Department of Homeland Security, US-CERT, has published its back-to-school "Cyber Safety for Students" guide.  Lots of great information for students and parents alike.  The guide includes the Stop.Think.Connect toolkit, information for staying safe online, information for keeping children safe online, and a wide variety of other information to keep you and your family safe.  Good cyber safety practices now will help to prevent headaches later.