Showing papers on "Disaster recovery published in 2009"

Vulnerability of community businesses to environmental disasters.

Abstract: Business plays important roles in community functioning. However, disaster research has been disproportionately focused on units of analysis such as families, households and government agencies. This paper synthesises the major findings within the business development research field and the disaster research field. It constructs a framework for evaluating business vulnerability to natural disasters. Our theoretical integration of the research conducted to date addresses five major issues. First, it defines the ways in which businesses are subject to the impacts of natural disasters. Second, it identifies the factors that determine the magnitude of business impacts after a disaster. Third, it identifies how and when businesses return to their pre-disaster level in the disaster stricken community. Fourth, it describes measures that can be taken by individual firms and community planners to reduce the impacts of environmental disasters. Fifth, it identifies needs for public policy and future research to reduce business vulnerability to environmental disasters.

Crisis and Disaster Management for Tourism

Abstract: Part A: Setting the Context for Tourism Crisis and Disaster Management 1. Introduction to Tourism Crisis and Disaster Management 2. Classifying and Understanding Tourism Crises and Disasters 3. Strategic Crisis and Disaster Planning and ManagementPart B: Tourism Crisis and Disaster Prevention and Planning 4. Tourism Crisis Prevention and Disaster Mitigation 5. Tourism Disaster and Crisis Preparedness and PlanningPart C: Tourism Crisis and Disaster Response, Implementation and Management 6. Coordination, Control and Resource Allocation 7. Crisis and Disaster Communication and Recovery MarketingPart D: Tourism Crisis and Disaster Recovery, Resolution and Feedback 8. Long Term Recovery and Resolution 9. Knowledge Management and Organisational Learning 10. Conclusion and Reflections on Tourism Crisis and Disaster Management

Information Flow Impediments in Disaster Relief Supply Chains

Abstract: Supply Chain Management (SCM) is seldom more difficult than during disaster relief efforts. As these supply chains quickly form, the lack of information flow presents a major hindrance to coordinating the flow of resources necessary for disaster relief efforts. This paper identifies impediments to the flow of information through supply chains following large scale and catastrophic disasters. Given the scarce body of literature on this subject, a grounded theory case-study was conducted looking at an extreme case. The study concentrates on the efforts made by multiple organizations and individuals to provide relief in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which battered the Gulf Coast of the southeastern United States in late 2005. Data was gathered from diverse sources including government agencies, profit and non-profit organizations, and individuals during and after the disaster. Based on our data analysis we not only identify and categorize information flow impediments (i.e., data collection, information processing, and information sharing) but also identify likely sources of these impediments, and examine their consequences to organizations’ disaster recovery efforts. Our findings can be used as a foundation for design science researchers who want to devise solutions able to reduce or alleviate the impact of information flow impediments in future disasters.

Cloud Application Architectures: Building Applications and Infrastructure in the Cloud

Abstract: Much is said about the advantages and risks of cloud computing, but how do you actually create a web application for this environment or migrate existing applications to it? With this book, you'll learn the programming and system administration skills necessary to build and support applications in the cloud, using transactional apps for customer orders and payments as a practical example If you're involved in planning IT infrastructure as a network or system architect, system administrator, or developer, this book will help you adapt your skills to work with the highly scalable, highly redundant infrastructure services offered by Amazon and other providers With Cloud Application Architectures, you will: Understand the differences between traditional deployment and cloud computing in areas such as reliability, security, and the ability to predict load and capacity Determine whether moving existing applications to the cloud makes technical and business sense Build a transactional web application and set up virtual servers to support it Learn how the cloud helps you better prepare for disaster recovery See how cloud computing changes your perspective on application scaling Cloud Application Architectures provides best practices that apply to every available cloud service Learn how to make the transition to the cloud and prepare your web applications to succeed

Secure Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Platform for Multiple Protected Systems

Abstract: A data processing system comprises multiple customer premises equipment (CPE) servers at different active sites, each CPE server comprising a local storage unit, each CPE server configured to collect copies of servers, applications or data of the active site at which that CPE server is located and to store the copies in the local storage; a data storage and compute unit that is coupled to the CPE servers and configured to receive the copies, verify the copies, and store the copies in online accessible secure storage that is segregated by business entity; logic operable to receive a request from a particular active site to restore one or more data elements contained in the secure storage of the data storage unit associated with the particular active site, to inflate the data elements, and to provide the particular active site with online access to the data elements that are inflated.

A Framework for Knowledge-Based Crisis Management in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry:

Abstract: Crisis management, disaster recovery, and organizational continuity are critical areas of competence for managers of individual businesses and entire destinations. For large-scale problems, crisis ...

Long Term Recovery from Disasters -- The Neglected Component of Emergency Management

Abstract: This paper stems from my presentation on long-term recovery given at the 2009 All-Hazards Higher Education Conference, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security at its Emergency Management Institute, June 2-4, 2009.

The supply chain crisis and disaster pyramid: A theoretical framework for understanding preparedness and recovery

Abstract: Purpose – The research on supply chains concerning disaster and crisis situations is in its infancy, but rapidly expanding on the backs of top researchers in the field. As with most young research streams there is very little theoretical grounding in extant studies. The purpose of this research is to integrate four prominent existing theoretical perspectives to provide a concise yet holistic framework for grounding future research.Design/methodology/approach – The development of the disaster recovery pyramid is completed following an extensive review of the resource, risk and crisis/disaster recovery, and preparedness literature. Additionally, literature from the resource‐based view (RBV) of the firm, communication theory, competing values theory, and relationship management theory are canvassed. Business professional and academics are also interviewed to validate the pyramid.Findings – The proposed framework is a call for future studies in the supply chain management and logistics disaster, and crisis ma...

Virtual machine-based on-demand parallel disaster recovery system and the method thereof

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein related to a virtual machine-based on-demand parallel disaster recovery system and a method thereof. By integrating context of processes of virtual machine, the system and method build a process tree related to applications and support the operation of freezing the context and intercept memory image consistent with the virtual machine environment, based on which, a method for on-demand parallel recovery is provided. In the method, while monitoring file system data that processes of virtual machine are to visit by a kernel intercept unit, recovery of related data blocks of the applications is conducted in the background in order to make applications and recovery procedure of the virtual machine run simultaneously. The recovery procedure is divided into two phases, recovering memory image first and then recovering file system or volume data. Through the procedure, applications can be recovered precisely to the running state when they are backup. The method realizes the scheduling of multiple backup tasks and recovery tasks in client and realizes the prefetching of the recovered data. The embodiments described herein consume less time for recovery, enhances the reliability of the protected applications, has a low cost and practical value; and it is transparent to users.

Disaster resilience in development and humanitarian interventions

Abstract: The connections between disaster recovery and the resilience of affected communities have become common features of disaster risk reduction programmes since the adoption of The Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005–2015. Increasing attention is paid to the capacity of disaster-affected communities to recover with little or no external assistance following a disaster. This highlights the need for a change in the disaster risk reduction work culture, with stronger emphasis being put on resilience rather than just needs or vulnerability. The aim of this thesis is to determine the extent to which development and humanitarian interventions promote resilience in disaster-prone areas. Three case studies with elements of resilience building were examined in 2002, 2004 and 2005 using an evaluation framework. Survey and participatory interviewing methods involving more than 1200 participants were employed to gain insights from the implementation of: The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe; The Institutional Support Project in Ethiopia; and The Agricultural Rehabilitation Project in East Timor. There are no easy answers for enhancing disaster resilience through development and humanitarian interventions. However, four conclusions emerging from this study contribute to the emerging disaster resilience body of knowledge, spanning social science disciplines such as geography, environmental management and sociology. Firstly, disaster resilience is the ability to ‘bounce forward’ rather than ‘bounce back’ following a disaster. The notion of ‘bounce back’ implies the capacity to return to a pre- disaster state, which fails to capture the ‘new’ reality created by the disaster. ‘Bounce forward’ encapsulates community continuity within the context of changed realities brought about by the disaster. Secondly, resilience and vulnerability are confirmed as discrete constructs, the one not being the ‘flip side’ of the other. Thirdly, local resilience to disasters is about agency, albeit in a political and economic context. Community agency continuously creates and re-creates, and owns and controls the disaster institutional structures. Fourthly, resilience building resonates with the contiguum approach - it can occur at any phase or multiple phases of the disaster cycle. Thus, the process of resilience building does not necessarily need to adopt a ‘linear’ or continuum approach. The contiguum approach offers opportunities for linking (existing) resilience, relief, rehabilitation and development (LRRRD). Finally, on the basis of the author’s broader experience with similar evaluations elsewhere, the findings of this thesis are robust and generalisable and would not have been significantly different, if different case studies were used. Similarly, the focus of this thesis has been on structures and evaluation processes and outcomes; a different approach might have given rise to different findings.

Automated disaster recovery planning

Abstract: A system and associated method for automated disaster recovery (DR) planning. A DR planning process receives disaster recovery requirements and a target environment configuration from a user to design DR plans for the target environment configuration that meets disaster recovery requirements. The DR planning process accesses a knowledgebase containing information on replication technologies, best practice recipes, and past deployment instances. The DR planning process creates the DR plans by analyzing the disaster recovery requirements into element risks, associating replication technologies to protect each element risks, combining associated replication technologies based on the best practice recipes, and selecting highly evaluated combination based on the past deployment instances. The DR planning process presents the DR plans as classified by replication strategy-architecture combination for each DR plans and marks how strongly each DR plans are recommended.

Wireless Mesh Networking: A Key Solution for Emergency & Rural Applications

Abstract: All communities whether they are rural or urban will have to respond to safety, disasters, and emergency situations. These situations place a special burden on communication systems for having a fully operational system. Given the shortcomings of current Public Safety and Disaster Recovery, reliable wireless mobile communications that enable real-time information sharing, constant availability, and interagency interoperability are imperative in emergency situation. Wireless Mesh Networks have been receiving a great deal of attention as a broadband access alternative for a wide range of markets, including those in the metro, emergency,public-safety, carrier-access, and residential sectors. This paper provides a background on technology requirements for emergency and public safety communications systems and addresses some of the technical influences of wireless mesh networks. The article describes the capabilities and architecture of the Man-portable, Interoperable, Tactical Operations Center communication system which was funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It is a modern mobile communications infrastructure well suited for public safety and disaster recovery applications.

Disaster Management: Global Challenges and Local Solutions

Abstract: Introduction Disaster Management: An Overview Hazards and Disasters Earthquake Risk Management: Problems and Prospects Tsunami Risk Reduction Flood Risk Management Cyclone Risk: Mitigation and Management Drought Risk Management Post-tsunami Hazards along the Indian Coast Risk and Vulnerability Building Codes and Land Use Planning: Challenges of Development and Enforcement Social Vulnerability: Who Draws the Line? Where and Why? Macroeconomic Management and Sustainable Development Environmental Vulnerability and Disaster Risk Reduction Climate Change Risk Reduction: Decision-making in Uncertainty Financial Management of Disaster-related Economic Losses Disaster Reduction Technology Implementation Technology for Disaster Reduction Disaster Management for Infrastructure Geospatial Information in Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring Multimedia Technology in Disaster Risk Management Training Transferable Indigenous Knowledge in Disaster Reduction: The Japanese Experience Education and Community Education in Disaster Risk Reduction Essentials of School Disaster Education: Example from Kobe, Japan Community Capacity and Disaster Resilience Community-based Disaster Recovery Community-based Disaster Management and Social Capital Designing Resilience: Building Community Capacity for Action Crosscutting Issues Disaster, Environment and Development: Opportunities for Integration in Asia-Pacific Region Impact of Disaster on Poverty and Deprivation Climate Change Adaptation and Human Health: Linkages of Climate, Disaster and Health issues in Vietnam Exposure, Health Hazards and Environmental Risk: Study in Chennai, India Hydrometeorological Disasters and Agriculture Forest Management and Disaster Risk Reduction Rural Livelihood and Disaster Risk Reduction: A Case Study from Central Vietnam Essentials of Urban Disaster Risk Reduction Institutional Capacity in Disaster Management: The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Corporate Sector and Disaster Risk Reduction: A Community-focussed Approach Essentials of Predisaster Recovery Planning The African Experiences of Disaster Risk Reduction Postscript Disaster Management: The Way Ahead Index

Earthquake recovery of historic buildings: exploring cost and time needs.

Abstract: Disaster recovery of historic buildings has rarely been investigated even though the available literature indicates that they face special challenges. This study examines buildings' recovery time and cost to determine whether their functions (that is, their use) and their status (historic or non-historic) affect these outcomes. The study uses data from the city of San Francisco after the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake to examine the recovery of historic buildings owned by public agencies and non-governmental organisations. The results show that recovery cost is affected by damage level, construction type and historic status, whereas recovery time is affected by the same variables and also by building function. The study points to the importance of pre-incident recovery planning, especially for building functions that have shown delayed recovery. Also, the study calls attention to the importance of further investigations into the challenges facing historic building recovery.

The Dynamics of Disaster Recovery: Resilience and Entropy in Hurricane Response Systems 2005–2008

Abstract: The challenge for policy makers and disaster managers is to achieve a balance between two dynamics — resilience and entropy — in order to develop sustainable risk reduction. Achieving an appropriate balance between resilience and entropy in any given community requires a systematic exploration of both dynamics. The recent hurricanes that struck Louisiana, Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005 and Hurricane Gustav, on September 1, 2008, offer an unusual opportunity to assess the degree to which both dynamics operated following Hurricane Katrina.

Pilot training program for developing disaster nursing competencies among undergraduate students in China.

Abstract: As nurses constitute the largest group of health-care providers, their readiness to respond to disasters and to participate in preparedness and disaster recovery activities will be significant for making a community more resilient against disaster. Concern is raised regarding how to build the capacity of all nurses with a knowledge base and a minimum set of skills in responding to various disasters. Drawing on the ICN Framework of Disaster Nursing Competencies and Global Standards for the Initial Education of Professional Nurses and Midwives, a training program entitled "Introduction to Disaster Nursing" was developed. Four teaching methods including action learning, problem-based learning, skill training, and lecture were used to orchestrate a series of planned activities for helping students develop the required disaster nursing competencies in a 2-week intensive training program held in Sichuan China in July 2009. The pre- and post-tests which were given to assess the students' perceived level of competencies demonstrated a significant gain in relevant knowledge and skills constituting the required competencies upon completion of the program. In the program evaluation, most students indicated their willingness and capability in disaster relief work under supervision, and they were keen to advance their competencies in the field of disaster nursing.

Mission Impact of Cyber Events: Scenarios and Ontology to Express the Relationships between Cyber Assets, Missions, and Users

Abstract: : Awareness of the dependencies between cyber assets, missions and users is critical to assessing the mission impact of cyber attacks and maintaining continuity of business operations. However, there is no systematic method for defining the complex mapping between cyber assets (hardware, software, data), missions and users. This paper reports the results of an interdisciplinary workshop on how to map relationships between cyber assets and the users, missions, business processes and other entities that depend on those assets. The workshop yielded information about types of impact assessment beyond mission and financial analyses; scenarios illustrating the complex relationships between assets, mission and users; and models for expressing those relationships. The results will be used to develop a system that will automatically populate an ontology from commonly available network data and allow computer network defense, information technology and disaster recovery practitioners to query the system for information about the impact of the loss or degradation a cyber asset.

Community capacity building: Learning from the 2003 Canberra bushfires

Abstract: Research into what happens to communities after disasters is one way of understanding the elements of community capacity building and the actions that help and hinder these processes. In recent years a number of large scale disasters both onshore and offshore have become the focus of Australian State and Commonwealth disaster recovery efforts. These have provided opportunities to reflect on successful elements of 'community recovery' including what 'communities' do themselves to assist 'recovery' and what governments can do to enable and actively facilitate the 'recovery' process. Through an examination of a recent study on the recovery of people affected by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) bushfires (known as the Canberra Bushfires) (Camilleri et al, 2007), this paper examines what helps and what hinders community capacity building, including the role of social networks and supports and community engagement activities. It also contributes to a broader knowledge base about the importance of governments recognising and enabling the development of social networks which help people 'get by', and 'get ahead', and which foster a sense of control over their lives. This knowledge can usefully frame actions used in the pursuit of many other desired policy outcomes linked to community capacity building.

Development and assessment of strategies to ensure economic sustainability of the U.S. automotive recovery infrastructure

Abstract: Currently, 95% of all the vehicles discarded in the U.S. enter the recovery infrastructure. The material recovery efficiency of the infrastructure is approximately 80% by weight. Significant changes are being pursued by automotive manufacturers to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles during the use phase. However, the effect of these changes on the automotive recovery infrastructure is uncertain. In addition to vehicle changes, calls for higher material recovery efficiencies from the government and society also add to the uncertainty. In order to characterize the effects of these uncertainties, a Material Flow and Economic Exchange (MFEE) model has been established. The model-predicted results showed that higher material recovery rates can only be achieved if the business entities within the recovery infrastructure employ new technological strategies such as increased plastic recovery rates. However, the economic sustainability or profitability of the business entities was found to be jeopardized. This paper will focus on certain profit-enhancement strategies that may be employed to ensure the economic sustainability. The MFEE model is used to assess the adequacy of these strategies to improve the profitability of the business entities within the recovery infrastructure. Based on the analysis of these strategies it is shown that the economic burden of achieving higher material recovery rates will have to be shared by all the stakeholders within the recovery infrastructure. A discussion on the potential government policies that may be enacted to implement the technological and profit-enhancement strategies is presented.

High Availability and Disaster Recovery Using Virtualization

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus and processes which address problems in the area of providing high availability and disaster recovery for computing systems and the data in them. These apparatus and processes can be used to provide high availability and disaster recovery for a computing system to be protected. The protected computing systems may be virtual computing systems.

Enhancing systems integration by incorporating business continuity drivers

Abstract: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a framework for developing an integrated operating environment (IOE) within an enterprise information system by incorporating business continuity drivers. These drivers enable a business to continue with its operations even if some sort of failure or disaster occurs.Design/methodology/approach – Development and implementation of the framework are based on holistic and top‐down approach. An IOE on server's side of contemporary business computing is investigated in depth.Findings – Key disconnection points are identified, where systems integration technologies can be used to integrate platforms, protocols, data and application formats, etc. Downtime points are also identified and explained. A thorough list of main business continuity drivers (continuous computing (CC) technologies) for enhancing business continuity is identified and presented. The framework can be utilized in developing an integrated server operating environment for enhancing business contin...

Flagship regeneration project as a tool for post-disaster recovery planning: the Zeytinburnu case.

Abstract: Sustainable redevelopment following disasters has been a main policy objective of post-disaster recovery efforts over the past few decades. Yet, nine years after the 1999 Marmara earthquake in Turkey, the redevelopment of risky housing areas is still a point of debate on the urban planning and disaster mitigation agenda. However, planning studies on mildly and moderately damaged areas located in the centre of Istanbul are ongoing. This article presents the evidence of a pilot project undertaken by Zeytinburnu Municipality, Istanbul, four years after the Marmara earthquake.(2) The aim is to generate a debate on the preconditions required for a sustainable urban regeneration approach in the post-disaster recovery phase. The results of the pilot project underline the importance of capacity building in sustaining social capital, strengthening the legal framework, restructuring planning regulations, and managing the housing redevelopment process by taking advantage of a window of opportunity afforded by the disaster recovery period.

Method for data disaster recovery assessment and planning

Abstract: A method for assessing the risk and cost for data loss and disaster recovery (DR) plans includes providing an application having a graphical user interface (GUI) comprising first and second windows arranged adjacent to each other. The first window comprises a catalog of components used to generate data disaster recovery (DR) configurations and the second window displays the generated DR configurations. A first DR configuration is generated in the second window and components are added to the first DR configuration by dragging and dropping components from the catalog into appropriate locations of the second window. Metrics for the first DR configuration are calculated and reported in the second window. A second configuration is also similarly generated in the second window and the metrics results are graphically compared to each other.

Developing a Code of Ethics for Disaster Tourism

Abstract: This paper provides a first discussion of the advantages and concerns of disaster tourism along with an initial step towards a code of ethics. Based on existing disaster and tourism codes, four guidelines are suggested and critiqued: 1. Priority in disasters should be given to the safety of disaster-affected people and responders, encompassing rescue and body recovery operations. 2. One individual should not put another individual at increased risk without consent. 3. The authorities in a disaster-affected area and their rules and regulations should be obeyed within reason. 4. Any donations or assistance offered to disaster-affected areas should be considered within the local context and should also involve nearby but non-disaster-affected communities. Targets, training, monitoring, enforcement, and evaluation for the code are also discussed along with the need for consultative processes for further developing and implementing the code. Three main areas of disaster tourism research are proposed for further work: disaster recovery, convergence behaviour, and supporting disaster risk reduction rather than post-disaster actions.

Extending the technology-community-management model to disaster recovery: assessing vulnerability in rural Asia

Abstract: The recent increase in natural disasters has a significant impact on the lives and livelihoods of the poor in Asia. The spread of information communication technologies (ICTs) in this region's rural areas suggests the potential of technologies to enhance recovery efforts. While many ICT initiatives have been implemented to aid disaster management, from providing early warning to immediate relief, there exists a gap in the theoretical understanding of the role of technologies in disaster recovery and rehabilitation. We propose a conceptual framework for understanding the implementation of ICTs in recovery operations, drawing attention to vulnerability reducing potential of the initiatives. We review theories on ICT use in disaster management, and propose the Extended Technology-Community-Management model focusing on vulnerability assessment for the design and implementation of ICT programs for development in rural areas. We illustrate this model using case studies from ICT deployments in post-disaster Asia, particularly India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and China, and suggest implications for theory and practice.

Survivability and Business Continuity Management System According to BS 25999

Abstract: In this paper, a new model is presented for evaluating the performance of a Business Continuity Management System according to BS 25999. This model is able to calculate the survivability \emph{ex-ante} if the key performance indicator for the effectiveness exists. Performance is based fundamentally on the system's Business Continuity Plans and Disaster Recovery Plans. Typically, the performance of these plans is evaluated by a number of specific exercises at various intervals and, in many cases, with a variety of targets. Furthermore, these specific exercises are rerun after a longer period ($\ge $ a year) and then often only partially. If a company is interested in taking performance measurements over a shorter period, obstacles and financial restrictions are often encountered. Furthermore, it is difficult for companies to give an \emph{ex-ante} statement of their survival in the case of a disaster.Two key performance indicators are presented that allow the performance of a Business Continuity Management System to be evaluated according to BS 25999. Using these key performance indicators, the probability of survival can be estimated before extreme events occur.

Disaster Planning for Libraries and Archives: What You Need to Know and How to Do It

Abstract: Since no one can predict when a disaster will strike, all libraries and archives need a disaster preparedness and recovery plan, but most archivists and librarians do not know how to go about developing one. While the task at hand is daunting, so is the literature, which contains volumes of texts and journal articles that belabor the subject. This article, based on the varying experience of the two authors, is a summary of the planning process. It will offer the reader the basics required to develop an effective disaster preparedness and recovery plan.