Showing papers on "Disaster recovery published in 1995"

Synchronous remote data duplexing

Abstract: A remote data shadowing system provides synchronous, storage based, real time disaster recovery wherein a secondary site is located remote from the primary site. An error recovery program at the primary site quiesces applications running thereat for performing error recovery procedures and signalling both primary and secondary locations that failed duplex has occurred. The error recovery program determines the cause of failed duplex, and if error recovery is successful, duplex mode is resumed. If the error recovery program is unable to perform error recovery successfully, then further write updates at the primary site are prohibited and an error message is communicated to operators at both the primary and secondary sites.

Disaster Recovery as a Social Process

Abstract: This paper takes the perspective that recovery from disaster is not merely concerned with the reestablishment of the physical or built environment; that is, community recovery should not be conceptualised as an outcome, but rather as a social process that begins before a disaster occurs and encompasses decision-making concerning emergency response, restoration and reconstruction activities following the disaster. Put another way, reconstruction is less a technical problem than it is a social one. In order for successful post-disaster decisions to be made, however, there must be an awareness of the pre-disaster conditions that create situations of social and structural vulnerability, putting some segments of the society at greater risk in the event of an earthquake than others. From this perspective, what becomes important is how those decisions are made, who is involved in the decisionmaking, what consequences those decisions have on the social groups within the disaster-stricken communities, and who benefits from these decisions and who does not.

Proposed scaling of the communal consequences of disaster

Abstract: Rapid assessment of a community′s capacity to continue coping in the aftermath of disaster could be of great value. Gradations of community consequences can provide emergency planners with criteria to guide them to realistic needs assessment and are invaluable to researchers in classifying incidents by intensity. Conventional wisdom might lead us to view impact on community functioning in disasters as a continuum, ranging from minimal to total collapse. Such a perception lacks clear‐cut gradation, making administrative judgements difficult and contributing to the squandering of relief resources because of our inaccurate assessment of the community′s incapacity. The precise points where communities cross damage thresholds resulting in the collapse of infrastructure appear at first, to vary inexplicably. Careful consideration suggests three sets of factors which interface to affect these thresholds. Taken together, these will raise or lower community capacity to cope with adversity. The appropriate level of...

Disaster area architecture: telecommunications support to disaster response and recovery

Abstract: The expanse and complexity of disaster response and recovery is staggering, requiring a wide range of resources to ensure the safety of the population and the recovery of the affected area. The Northridge Earthquake disaster response and recovery effort, to date, required $7.5 billion in disaster response and recovery funds and over 10,000 Federal emergency users deployed throughout the region. Hurricane Andrew disaster response and recovery required 1,973 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) users, 29,000 military support personnel (both US and Canada), 12,872 contractors and 9,600 volunteers. FEMA estimated the cost to exceed 2.2 billion dollars. The magnitude of these disasters in terms of government resources and lives affected demonstrates the need for fast, efficient response and recovery. Communications are vital for effective management and execution of disaster response and recovery efforts. Emergency response personnel must be able to exchange information with each other from anywhere, at any time, to successfully fulfill their missions. The National Communications System (NCS) has initiated an effort to improve communication capabilities by first identifying the full range of communication requirements within the disaster area. The NCS has interviewed disaster response managers with experience in the most recent occurrences, to learn specific communication and information system requirements are most critical. A disaster area architecture was designed to meet these requirements.

Out of sight, out of mind: the limitations of traditional information systems planning

Abstract: Offers a crisis management critique of the information systems and contingency planning literature and puts forward recommendations for disaster recovery. The internal and hardware focus of disaster recovery permits only partial examination of the causes of disasters and seeks to treat their effects or symptoms rather than to prevent them. Concludes with a series of recommendations for information systems planners. Information systems crises should be perceived as the result of an interaction between a number of internal and external factors. Preventing information systems crises, therefore, requires attention to complex system issues.

Work area recovery planning: the key to corporate survival

Abstract: Describes the need for business continuity planning and explains the strategic importance of protecting critical business functions from disruption. Outlines the evolution of the disaster recovery industry, from simple provision of alternative mainframe computers to relocation of key personnel with restoration of sophisticated data/voice networks. Explains the essential phases of continuity plan creation and maintenance. Defines work area recovery planning and describes a model solution. Substantiates the work area thesis with an overview of the contingency arrangements of a key international division of a major bank. Includes findings of and conclusions from an independently conducted survey of over 100 UK organizations interviewed on their current business continuity arrangements.

Business interruption insurance: a vital ingredient in your disaster recovery plan

Abstract: Explains the importance of the risk management function as part of the disaster recovery‐planning process Explains what you can and cannot insure and the importance of not underestimating the “indemnity period” Explains methods of establishing the “sum insured”, along with the establishment of premiums, the payment of claims, and the importance of post‐disaster insurance reviews

Critical elements of a disaster recovery and business/service continuity plan

Abstract: Outlines ideas for a well‐designed crisis plan applicable to many corporations, institutions or government agencies. In the light of numerous community‐wide disasters, as well as the singular disasters that corporations, institutions, municipalities and government agencies have suffered in the last few years, details disaster recovery needs. Also discusses issues of site assessment – whether or not a building is occupied, repairs, fire and water cleanup.

Disaster Recovery Planning for Information Systems

Abstract: In a society where individuals are linked to one another through the conduits of expansive media technology, nearly everyone has experienced, or at least witnessed, the vast devastation which occurs when disaster strikes. The need for businesses to have the ability to survive when any form of disaster strikes becomes paramount as more and more US corporations are relying on data and information systems IS for performing their main operations. Authors are suggesting a five-step guideline for developing and implementing a disaster recovery plan DRP.

Method for provision of remote data shadowing and remote data duplex system

Abstract: PURPOSE: To provide a remote data shadowing system which synchronously performs a real-time disaster recovery in a memory location base with a secondary side placed at a separated location from a primary one. CONSTITUTION: An error recovery program on a primary side 14 executes error recovery procedures and then stops the application in its execution mode to notify primary and secondary sides 14 and 15 that dual pair of faults take place. The error recovery program discriminates the cause of the dual pair of faults and restarts a dual mode if an error recovery is normally performed. When the error recovery program can not normally execute the error recovery, the update of writing on the primary side is further inhibited and an error message is sent to the operators of both primary and secondary sides 14 and 15.

Planning for Disaster-Relief Construction

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to describe the state of emergency construction planning for hurricane disaster relief and to present the results of a survey of emergency-management agencies. Most emergency-management agencies are organized to coordinate the efforts of other agencies rather than take action themselves. However, efforts need to be made to further strengthen the ties between emergency-management agencies at all levels of government. The survey revealed that very little effort had been made to document the planning process or to implement emergency construction planning. In fact, construction planning was almost nonexistent. The survey also concluded that most emergency-management personnel are well-trained and that problems are rarely due to the quality of effort provided but rather to the lack of planning information available.

Bridging the gaps

Abstract: Following recent London bomb attacks, examines the effectiveness of disaster recovery plans and the services that were available to assist recovery. Also explores the mid‐ and long‐term effects of the disaster on some of the organizations which survived the bombings. Or did they?.

Telecommunications resource management for disaster response and recovery

Abstract: Communications are vital for effective management of disaster response and recovery efforts. When a disaster strikes, Federal, State, and local governments must respond quickly with appropriate disaster response and recovery personnel and resources. Various agencies provide a variety of communication resources in the disaster area to meet their respective operating requirements. The Federal Response Plan (FRP) assigns the responsibility for the allocation and management of these resources to Emergency Support Function (ESF) 2, Communications. An automated resource management system may provide ESF 2 with additional capabilities to coordinate and streamline the provisioning of telecommunications equipment for the entire disaster area. A resource management and decision support system could support ESF 2 with planning and operational support and provide for the collection of detailed communication requirements to improve future disaster responses.

Testing the disaster recovery plan

Abstract: Organizations need to have undertaken an analysis of business risk and to have formulated a recovery plan. However, only a small number of businesses have made any attempt to minimize their risks and even fewer have a recovery plan which has been tested. Most are a token gesture to auditors. An out‐of‐date, untested plan can often be more dangerous than not having a plan at all as it lulls the organization into a false sense of security. But how do you test plans? If the strategy is to use a computer‐processing facility in another place – perhaps a commercial hot and cold site – the costs of regular testing can be high and the disruption to the business great. In tight economic times, senior management is too often prepared to gamble with the organization′s future. Develops a testing methodology, based on many years of designing plans and hands‐on testing, which reduces costs by breaking down the test procedure into components, modules and full tests.

Health Professional's Role in Disaster Planning: A Strategic Management Approach

Abstract: 1. The Strategic Management for Total Quality in Health Care model incorporates strategic management methods and total quality principles to enhance management of complex, interdisciplinary projects. 2. The purpose of disaster planning is to provide an effective and efficient plan to prevent personal injury and limit property damage and capital losses, as well as return to full production after a disaster. 3. Participation in disaster response planning provides health professionals with an opportunity to demonstrate the benefits they can provide for meeting their company's business needs. 4. Disaster planning is a complex, interdisciplinary project that requires a strategic management framework to facilitate development of high quality, cost effective programs.

AIN applications to support NS/EP disaster response and recovery

Abstract: The Office of the Manager, National Communications System (OMNCS) is charged with developing evolutionary architectures to meet the changing national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) telecommunications requirements of its 23 National Communications System (NCS) member organizations. The OMNCS is integrating new public switched network (PSN)-based technology into its NS/EP telecommunications programs. The advanced intelligent network (AIN) is being introduced into the PSN by commercial carriers and is an evolving service-independent network architecture that provides rapid service feature development and implementation. Through the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee, (NSTAC), the OMNCS has identified AIN as a potential means to provide features that support NS/EP telecommunications. The OMNCS AIN program is defining, developing and demonstrating AIN-based NS/EP applications. Reliable communications are particularly essential for the effective management of NS/EP disaster response and recovery efforts. Emergency response teams must be able to exchange information among resource managers, policy-makers, technical experts, and analysts at any time, from anywhere, to successfully fulfil their missions. AIN technology has great potential to support such user requirements. The author discusses an AIN architecture overview, disaster recovery needs, and disaster recovery capabilities using AIN.

An examination of the managerial issues involved in the contingency planning for information systems

Abstract: Computer based information systems are the enabling technology of the Information Age. They are also a resource that successful firms must protect and nurture. If these resources are to be protected, the management of the firm must be aware of the threats to these automated systems and develop contingency plans that will protect the system from harm or permit the firm to recover from the potential failure that may accompany the actualization of the threats that exist. A national survey was conducted to attempt to identify factors that may be associated with the existence of a firm's contingency plan which protects the firm's information processing system. The results of that study are presented in this paper. Several factors, such as the size of the firm, its industry classification, the size of its computing facility and its geographical location are analyzed in an attempt to determine if these factors are associated with either the existence of the contingency plan or the frequency of testing of the contingency plan. Through a series of contingency tables and non parametric statistical tests the existence of several associative relationships is suggested. The strength of these relationships is explored, and based upon the statistical evidence conclusions are suggested to benefit practitioners in the field of contingency planning and/or disaster recovery which is a subset of Information Resource Management.

Disaster Recovery Plans for Computer System Failures: An Empirical Study of the State of Preparedness of American County Government

Abstract: Information technology has become an invaluable tool for government operations and the ability to interact with the public. However, as dependency on information systems increases, governments become more vulnerable to systems failure or interruption from natural, man-made or political disasters. This paper addresses a number of current issues concerning governments’capability and contingency plan in such disaster cases in order to avoid disruption of public services. The study examined 172 counties and the political, technological and economic factors which shape their decision to invest in recovery strategies. Data derived from this survey is analyzed to identify what variables have most significant impact on the decision as to whether or not to develop a disaster recovery plan.

Issues of Integration

Abstract: Information technology is now all-pervasive; it may be managed, but it cannot be controlled. As managers increasingly have access to the same technology at home as at work, there can be conflicts between individual and organisational modes of use.

Post-earthquake inspection of utility buildings

Abstract: The evacuation of safe buildings and the inability to reoccupy them immediately after earthquakes can have significant impacts on lifeline utilities, including delays in the restoration of essential services. For many of Pacific Gas and Electric Company`s 3400 buildings, the potential for unnecessary evacuations and delays in reentry was judged unacceptable. A Post-Earthquake Investigation Program, developed jointly by PG and E and Degenkolb Engineers, facilitates the post-earthquake use of essential buildings. The details of the program were developed taking into consideration the effects of high-likelihood scenario earthquakes on PG and E facilities, and the potential disruption of transportation and communication systems. Qualified engineers were pre-assigned to inspect key facilities following prescribed earthquakes. The inspections will be facilitated by pre-earthquake evaluations and post-earthquake manuals. Building department personnel support the program, because it promotes the timely and accurate assessment of essential buildings within their jurisdiction. The program was developed for a gas and electric utility; however, it is applicable to other organizations in earthquake regions.

Toll-Free Services: A Complete Guide to Design, Implementation, and Management

Abstract: 800 Services. The ABCs of 800 Services. 800 Services and the Call Center. Features of 800 Services. Designing and Implementing 800 Services. Managing 800 Services/Functions. Disaster Recovery. The Future of 800 Services. Appendices.