A different twist on disaster recovery; Post superstorm Sandy

When we look at post superstorm Sandy issues such as floods and their aftermath, not only are we left with rotten materials and mold, but sometimes areas in our facilities have to be torn down and rebuilt. Our disaster management team usually has taken care of having cloud & off-premises backup for computer-based data. In many cases, tenants and our executive staff will have their workforce use computers in their own homes. Cellphones and internet video conferencing can connect the group even when land lines and transportation routes are down. So not having the building's work space available on a temporary basis doesn't mean that organizations cease working. Yet, what we rarely see in recovery plans for flood, fire or other contamination situations is a reasonable way to address losses of personal property... Items that individualize spaces for tenants, the company's management, employees or the corporations themselves (such as artwork) may never be recovered from damaged facilities. Sometimes the areas are condemned. Other times areas are in such disrepair that it isn't safe for non-recovery professionals to access the spaces. It may go a long distance for getting buy-in on your disaster recovery strategy to engage security staff in a different aspect of "Loss Prevention." For instance shall your building security team on regular tours, be photographing hallways and lobby areas so that all decorations that have meaning to the organization are documented regularly? Certainly, this is useful for insurance purposes, but the digital records - especially those you are willing to make for tenants can augment buy-in for your entire disaster management agenda. It can be a good public relations move to have the message come from your building management team or the organization's security director, that everyone can ask for security personnel to "photograph" personal photos, awards, certificates, etc. that people keep in their offices. Then digital copies can be given to tenants (via email or some low-cost approach). Thus electronic versions can be stored away from the office just in case the actual materials cannot be recovered in the future. Think how much easier it will be for the physicians in the medical suite to get duplicates of their certifications from the various Boards when they can produce a digital copy of the original. Tenants always consider whether they want to make permanent moves after a catastrophic event or go back to your buildings once they are refurbished. Weigh the scales in your favor. Extra steps you take now that don't increase costs but enhance the disaster recovery program and incorporate a different "loss prevention" initiative, may be just the things that help tenants decide they feel comfortable returning to your spaces. For more tips and additional information about simple ways to implement better security for your organization, give us a call at Doyle Security Services at (516)362-3677 or visit us online at www.dss-securitysolutions.com We stand ready to be of service! Mario Doyle, CPP, is chief operating officer for Doyle Security Services, Inc., Valley Stream, N.Y.