All managers responsible for reacting to the World Health Organization’s (“WHO”) escalation today of the Swine Flu influenza threat to a Level 5 status should be reviewing and re-evaluating if necessary, their DR plans to support their organization’s business continuity and resilience objectives.   If yours is not written or complete yet, we recommend that you read a recent posting by Scott McPherson on the Computerworld Blog site and take Mr. McPherson up on his free download offering of a new IT Flu Pandemic Presentation and Checklist.  We have found this information very informative and especially the comments to Mr. McPherson’s posting are worth reading as well.   Whatever your position on this issue, you will receive from this download, a resource of informative materials from which you can then pick and choose those segments that may fit your organization’s planning efforts to address this important WHO announcement.

As more information is developing on the increased risks of the swine flu affecting our global community, we offer that you read this article, by Patrick Burnson - Executive Editor - Logistics Management (4/28/2009) who discusses potential and specific risks that exist for various members of the global supply chain community.  In addition to the basic risk management issues that need to be addressed for this kind of health risk to individuals, it also brings attention to how our global  supply chain has to be ready to react as well.

It always amazing us the wealth of shared information that is available on the web!  The Business Continuity Institute (BCI) has made available its first ‘Survival Guide’.  This 2 page PDF document is designed to provide basic information on business continuity management for businesses new to the subject and to help evaluate existing business continuity strategies.   Good material for an executive session!