Business Continuity Planning - How Technology Helps You Cope With Unexpected Key Staff Absence

A series of events over recent months has highlighted how businesses could find themselves suddenly and unexpectedly without the services of key staff, possibly for extended periods of time. For example, publicity during 2009 for the anticipated swine flu pandemic showed that government response to such an escalating situation would be to close schools. This would leave large numbers of parents unable to attend their normal place of work.

It is vital that businesses prepare for these events, by evaluating the risks to their operations if key staff cannot get to their normal place of duty. However, once the risks are understood, it is wholly feasible to select and deploy a range of technical solutions to mitigate those risks.

Equip your key staff to work off the premises -- many of your key workers may already be equipped with laptops and smart phones, to fulfil their day-to-day responsibilities. Do they need to be given additional equipment? 3G dongles or modems? Would it be wise to provide more key staff with laptops and smart phones?

Make sure your key staff are set up to work from home -- As well as providing the necessary equipment, you need to be sure that home workers have adequate facilities. The UK's offers Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development offers advice on how to help staff set up to work from home and how to manage their remote contributions.

Make sure your key staff have access to audio/video conferencing and online meeting facilities -- Providing access to an audio conference bridge is easy to set up. You can relay the bridge details by mobile phone or email as needed. Where staff need to use this facility with customers or partners, they'll need their own bridge account with your supplier. There are a range of online meeting systems, such as Microsoft LiveMeeting, Citrix GoToMeeting or Cisco Webex. Many organisations ban the use of Skype on corporate networks, but in an emergency, it's simple to use and many people already have access from their home PCs.

Rethink your admission control for personal devices -- Organisations are understandably reluctant to let staff use personal devices (PCs, smart phones) to access the corporate network. But, in an emergency, this could be the only way to reconnect key workers, who can't make it into the office. Consider whether you can pre-approve home PCs for some key staff (Do they have up-to-date anti-virus/spyware? Is Windows Update turned on?) and relax network admission controls to allow their use in an emergency

Decide how you'll cope with the additional connections through your VPN gateways and firewalls -- The likelihood is that your contingency plans will mean a large increase in the number of staff access the corporate network from outside. It's wise to hold discussions with the vendors of your perimeter security solutions beforehand, to decide how any short term licence "overdraft" can be handled.

Make sure that deputies can access all the data they need in the absence of key staff -- This is a procedural issue, to provide elevated access privileges to those staff who will deputise for missing key workers. The procedures for requesting and approving elevated privilege, and for "break glass" access in a fast-developing emergency can be built into your identity and access management systems.

Consider how you can arrange for collaboration on key project information -- You can organise information in Microsoft OneNote and synchronise it between an office PC and a laptop, using cheap (or free) cloud based services. More recent developments allow synchronisation of the notebooks to an iPhone or iPad, using either cloud based or wi-fi based services. In the corporate environment, collaboration using OneNote notebooks can be managed through the (increasingly ubiquitous) Sharepoint Portal. Using a combination like this, the key information needed for critical activities is shared between all the members of your team and can be accessed almost wherever they are. For now, the solution for iPhone is limited to read-only, but that editing of notebooks via iPhone is about to enter public beta testing.

One final thought -- like all contingency plans, you need to test your arrangements. There are bound to be things you've forgotten and you'll only find out what they are when you do it. The well-known online tech news website Silicon.Com organises periodic "work from home" days, where all the editorial staff stay out of the office and they try to run the business day as normal. It's an excellent way to find out what works and what needs tweaking.

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Business Continuity Planning - How technology will help with the unexpected absence of key personnel Cope

A series of events in recent months has shown how companies could suddenly and unexpectedly found, without the services of key personnel, probably for a long time. For example, the disclosure was provided in 2009 for swine flu pandemic, the government is increasing in response to such a situation would be to close the schools. This would not be visiting a number of parents for their normal work.

It 'important that companies preparethese events through the assessment of threats to their business if not for the key personnel to their normal place of work. However, once the risks are understood, it is quite possible to reduce the selection and implementation of a number of technical solutions to address those risks.

Provide key personnel to work from the operation - many of your key employees may already be equipped with laptops and smartphones to fulfill their missions every day. They require installing additional equipment to give? 3G dongle orModem? It would be wiser for staff in key positions with laptops and smart phones available?

Ensure that key personnel are working to set up home - and the provision of necessary equipment, you must ensure that homeworkers have adequate facilities. The UK offers the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development offers advice on how to help staff to work from home and share how they manage their messages remotely.

Make sure key personnel have access to audio / video conferences andMeeting Online - access to an audio conference bridge is easy to configure. You can bridge relay details by phone or e-needs. Where staff must use this tool with clients or partners, they will need for their own bridge to the supplier. There are a number of systems to meet online as Microsoft LiveMeeting, GoToMeeting, Citrix or Cisco WebEx. Many organizations prohibit the use of Skype on corporate networks, but in case of emergency,easy to use and most people already have access from your home PC.

Rethinking the control of access to private property - organizations are understandably reluctant to let employees use personal access devices (PCs, smartphones) with the corporate network. But in case of emergency, this may be the only way to key employees, can not be returned to the office. Consider whether you against the computer at home in a good market for the key personnel (who have up-to-date anti-virus/spyware? Is Windows Updateup?) and Network Admission relax controls that allow you to use emergency

Decide how to deal with more connections through firewalls, VPN gateways, and - the likelihood is that your plans outside: a sharp increase in the number of employees access the corporate network from the start. E 'essay with suppliers of your perimeter security solutions, talks to decide in advance how each short-term license "discovered" maybe treated.

Make sure that Members can see all the information they need, in the absence of access to key personnel - This is a procedural matter, greater access rights to employees who are represented by the absence of key workers. establish the procedure for applying for and approval of elevated privileges and access "SHE" in a rapidly growing need in your identity and access management systems.

Think about how important it is for cooperation on information about the project -can organize information in Microsoft OneNote and Office sync between a PC and a laptop computer, cheap (or free) the cloud-based services. Recent developments allow syncing to an iPhone or notebook iPad, both cloud-based services or Wi-Fi-based. In a corporate environment, working with OneNote notebooks you can (more ubiquitous) Sharepoint Portal managed. With a combination of these, the most important information needed for criticalThe activities are shared among all members of your team and can be retrieved almost everywhere. For now the solution for the iPhone is limited to read-only, but the writing of books via iPhone is giving the public beta test.

One last thought - like all plans, you must test your plans. They are required to objects that have been forgotten and you will only find out what they do when you are. Popular online tech news site Silicon.Com organizedperiodic "work from home" days, in which all the editors to stay away from the office and try to run the business today as usual. It 's a great way to find out what works and what fine-tuning.

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Planning an Office Network

A network of offices is critical to any company wishing to operate in the world of modern business. It allows employees to work together on projects of their own work and provides a central place to store all the files and data (a file-print server) printing. For each network to perform its function of tip has a number of conditions must be met before installing and using the network.

The main requirement is for the networking needsdetermined. Issues to be resolved are:

How many computers (ie people) are networked?
There is a requirement for remote access (VPN)?
other components such as servers and network attached devices are needed?
Who will be the management and maintenance of the network?
are their specific requirements for different departments?
How to connect to the Internet is to be maintained?
There is a requirement for servers from the internet - mail server, web server, etc?

Some estimate of the growth of the company must be incorporated into the design because it is cheaper to add in the additional requirements during the first build instead of sewing later.

Once all these questions can be designed in such a network and a shopping list to be ready to respond. While there are several good quality of network provider, many companies choose Cisco products for their networks. There are many advantages to using>Cisco:

Cisco has very good support programmes, and can provide support 24x7 if required.
Many computer professionals have the basic Cisco qualification - CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), and more these days have higher qualifications from Cisco - CCNP or CCIE. This makes it easy to hire new staff if needed to support the network from day 1.
While Cisco is not the cheapest, over the longer term their equipment tends to perform better than other cheaper brands.
Cisco provides network components for all aspects of the network - firewall, router, switch, VoIP, etc.

E 'recommended that the new network ready for installation is to install in phases, in order to eliminate the losses to other aspects of the business. This assumes that the network will be replaced, but still a good idea if a new office is set up. This allows an accurate assessment of the individual sections of the networkbefore everything is installed.

During the installation and implementation of a network office is not a task for someone without good computer skills, it is quite possible that a person with a good knowledge of computers, and a good understanding of the requirements of this office to serve them. There are many accountants, lawyers, secretaries and other employees who take care of their corporate network.

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Planning Network Security

The need for a computer / network security:

Computer / Network security includes:

Control physical access to your computer or network
Prevention of accidental data
Cancellation, modification, compromise
Detection and Prevention
willful violations of internal security
unauthorized external attacks (hacking)

All three legs of the triangle must be for a network intrusion:
Reason
One reason to do against yourSecurity
Media
The ability to
Opportunities
The ability to access the network
This last point is the only administrator has the ability to control events.

Fundamentals of Network Security:
protection objectives of the network are sometimes referred to as confidentiality.
Only the sender and the receiver must "see" the integrity of the message.
Transmitter and receiver want to ensure that the message is not traveling, or changes later. Authentication
The transmitter and receiverconfirming the identity of any other available.
Services and resources must be available and accessible.

Information on risk management:
A basic principle of security is that no network is completely secure.
Information security is primarily concerned with risk management.
The most important of an asset, the more threats, more resources then you need to put the fuse in sight.

Understanding Risk Management - 2:
In general, without training,Administrators to respond to a threat to the safety of three ways:
Ignoring the threat, or identify them, but do nothing to prevent it.
Addressing the threat in an ad hoc manner.
Try to complete the security of all goods to the highest degree, without regard for usability or manageability
None of these strategies take account of the real risk, and they will all generally lead to failure in the long term.

What are someRisks?
Interceptions
Listening to messages
Kidnapping
Take on the role of a sender or recipient.
Inserting
Messages in an active connection
Imitation
Spoof a source address in a packet or a field in a package
Denial of Service (DOS).
Prevent others from access to resources, usually by overloading the system.

Risk management:
Once identified assets and threats have been risk management can beby:
Acceptance
Mitigation
Transmission
Prevention

Accept the risk:
If you do not take any proactive action, accept the consequences of exposure and threats to security, good.
Should accept the risk as a last resort when there are no reasonable alternatives, or if the cost is extremely high.
After the acceptance of risk is always a good idea to create an emergency plan.
A contingency plan details a series of actions to be taken after the riskmade and the impact of the compromise to reduce the loss of property.

Reducing the risk:
The most common method of protecting computers and networks to reduce security risks.
Through proactive measures both to reduce the exposure of a well to threats or reduce dependence on the organization, you are mitigating security risk.
A simple example: the installation of anti-virus software.

Transfer of risk:
security risk of transfer to another party has manyAdvantage include:
The economies of scale, such as insurance.
The use of know-how and organizational services.
For example, a web-hosting.
If this type of risk transfer companies, the terms of the contract are clearly in a contract for the Service Level Agreement (SLA), known specified.

Risk prevention:
On the contrary, the risk is to avoid the risk altogether.
To avoid risks, you need the source of the threat of exposure to danger,or your organization the confidence in asset management.
In general, avoid risks when there is little or no opportunity to mitigate or transfer risk, or risk the consequences of risk are by far the benefits business.
An example, a military dBase or law enforcement authorities, which, if compromised, life could be endangered.

Implementing Security:
Think about security in relation to the granting of permission to perform at leastTask.
Example: Consider the case of a network administrator inadvertently opening an email attachment that launches a virus.
If the administrator is connected to a domain administrator, the virus has administrative rights on all computers in the domain, and then have unlimited access to almost all data on the network.

Defense in depth:
Set the security of your network as a series of layers.
Each layer is removed to get closer to the center where thecritical assets exist.
In defense of the network, each layer as if the first outer layer is invalid or nonexistent.
The security of the entire network will increase significantly if defend at all levels of security and fault tolerance.
For example, to protect you in creating an e-mail-borne viruses, in addition to anti-virus software on users 'computers', you can e-mail client software that runs the blocks potentially dangerous file typesBlocking potentially unsafe attachments by file type, and ensures that the user is running under a limited user account.

Reduce the attack surface:
An attacker would only attack a vulnerability successfully to your network know when all you need to identify weaknesses in order to protect your network.
The smaller the surface area, the better your chances of accounting for all assets and their protection.
The attackers are less objective andThen you have less to monitor and maintain.
For example, the surface of each computer on the network low, you can disable services that are not used, and remove software that is not necessary.

Account of the security objectives:
Physical access control to
Server
Workstations on the network
Network Device
Cable System
Because of safety considerations related to the average wireless laptops.
Recognizing the security risk.
Fromso that data is printed.
The inclusion of floppy disks, CDs, tapes and other removable media.

In recognition of the threats to network security:
To protect your network, consider the following:
Question: who or what to protect, when?
Who: The types of network intruders and their motivations.
What: types of network attacks and how they work.
These questions form the basis for an assessment of the threat.
A comprehensive assessment of threats, the product mustBrainstorming among people who know the business processes, industrial, security, and so on.

The classification of certain types of attacks:
Social engineering attacks
DOS attacks
Scanning and Spoofing
Source Routing Protocol, and other exploits
Software and systems used
Trojans, viruses and worms

It 'important to understand the types of threats to deal properly with them.

Design of an overall security plan:
RFC2196, theSite Security Handbook.
Identify what you are trying to protect.
Determine what you are trying to protect them.
Determine how likely the threats expected.
implement measures to protect your assets in a cost effective way.
Review the process continuously and make improvements each time a weakness is discovered.

Steps to create a security plan:
Your security plan, usually three different aspects of protection are yourNetwork
Prevention: Measures taken to keep your information changes, destroyed or damaged.
To recognize the actions taken when a security breach has occurred or been attempted, and perhaps the source of the damage are: the test.
Action: Relax measures implemented to recover from a security hole to recover data lost or altered, the operations of the system or network and prevent future accidents.

SecurityFeedback:
The U.S. government specifications for the evaluation of implementations of network security in a publication often called Orange Book, which formally designated as the DOD Trusted Computer System.
The evaluation criteria or TCSEC.
The Red Book, or Trusted Network Interpretation of the TCSEC (TNI) explains how the TCSEC evaluation.
The criteria are used for computer networks.
Canada has released the security classification system that works similarly.
CTPEC

Safety Ratings-2:
A contract with the government, companies are often required to achieve a C2 rating.
An evaluation of C2 has different needs.
That the operating system to use the monitoring data access, even when it is accessed and has been viewed.
Users to control access to objects (access rights).
Clearly that users on the system (account user name and password) identified.
Security events and monitored permanentlyJoined on Auditing (audit log).

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Network Design Process - a network planning and design

View

Network planning and design methodology describes a process with nine concrete steps and a sequence of these activities. As mentioned, this is a life-cycle engineering, the technical initiatives, such as migration of Windows design and wireless IP telephony-assisted, to name a few. The method starts with the inspection requirements of business. It 'absolutely essential that drivers of business of the company business model, and understand howbe a point of view of the business is growing. This will lay the foundations for a project proposal that the activity, the technical and operational requirements of the company serves.

Step 1: Business

All design project begins with an understanding of what the company does and what they need to achieve in terms of trade. This begins with understanding their business model that truly describes how his company operational and workingbusiness perspective to generate revenues and reduce costs. Many manufacturers have now completed their return on investment (ROI) studies for new implementations, such as unified communications and telephony. This is an effective tool that shows the benefits of cost of sales, compared to investment in a given period.

This is a list of some typical commercial pilots:

• Reduced operating costs

• Generate revenue

• ClientSatisfaction

• employee productivity

This is a list of some typical business requirements of the project:

• budgetary constraints

• Office Consolidations

Mergers and acquisitions • Corporate

• Business Partner Connectivity

• Access remote teleworker

• Construction of new offices and staff

• Application of New Data Center

• Reduce network downtime costs

• Network costsManagement

• Supplier contracts

STEP 2: Design requirements

Now that you understand the basic business needs of society, you can determine the design requirements for standards and specifications. The requirements process is the definition of requirements from a technical standpoint. These requirements, together with business requirements is the framework that uses the infrastructure to build security and management is to be built. Design requirementsare set to default, and Miscellaneous. The requirements of design standards are general in nature and to make that point of view with design projects. Different conditions are those which are not defined with the standard requirements.

Standard design requirements

• Performance

• Availability

• Scalability

• Compatibility Standards

• Rapid Deployment

STEP 3: Network

A network assessmentcarried out, after we finished the business and design requirements of society. An evaluation of the network provides a quick overview of the existing network infrastructure in an examination, performance, availability, manageability and security. This information is used to produce changes in the recommendations of an effective policy and design recommendations for customer specific information systems. The network model has three assessment activities that sequentialAssessment, analysis and recommendations. The current network is analyzed with five major surveys: the infrastructure, performance, availability, manageability and security. If the investigation is completed, the collected data is then checked for trends, problems and issues that adversely affect the network.

STEP 4: Select Infrastructure

After an evaluation of the network, we are ready to begin the selection of infrastructure components specific to the networkDesign. This phase begins with the construction of infrastructure, with a specific sequence, the effective selection of equipment and design support. It 'important that you check to business needs, requirements and assessment of the network to build the infrastructure.

The following list describes the numbered specific infrastructure components and their order.

First Enterprise WAN topology

According to Campus Topology

Third Model Traffic

Fourth DevicesSelection

Fifth Circuit

Sixth Routing Protocol Design

Addressing Seventh

8th Naming Conventions

Ninth IOS Services

10th Domain Name Service

11 DHCP Service

STEP 5: SAFETY

Now we have a security strategy to ensure the infrastructure. The need for network security company should not be ignored, with the spread of the Internet. Companies are continuing to use the public infrastructure to connectnational and international offices, business partners and new acquisitions. The safety requirements and recommendations of the evaluation network should guide the selection of equipment, protocols and processes. It identifies the activities that must be protected, that users can access and how these facilities are guaranteed.

STEP 6: Strategy Management Network

This section defines a network management strategy for the management of all equipment inInfrastructure and security. You must determine how the equipment will be monitored and to determine whether the current management strategy is appropriate or whether new applications, equipment, protocols and processes must be identified. Management components are then integrated with the infrastructure and security, to finish construction of the proposed project. These primary elements include a strategy for managing well-defined and should be considered when developing your strategy.

• 7Management Groups

• SNMP applications

• monitor the devices and events

STEP 7: Proof of Concept

All the infrastructure, security and management components now have a proof of concept plan will be reviewed. It 'important that the current design, testing, configuration and IOS versions in a non-production or production network with limited interruption. The implementation of the newer network module to a router, for example, might requireTo change the current version of IOS, which is being implemented. Making these changes may affect the campus or WAN router modules installed already in production. This is the real value of this certification and proof of concept that the new equipment and IOS versions integrate with each device and network. The following list describes the advantages of doing a proof of concept with your network design. Proof of concept test results should be considered and used to modify the currentInfrastructure, security and specific management before generating a design proposal. The proof of concept "model proposed here is a prototype, equipment provisioning, control, define test automation scripts and test results at home.

First Prototype Design

According to available equipment

Third Test Set

Fourth build scripts Equipment

Fifth Revision of the test results

STEP 8: Design Proposal / REVIEW

The proof of concept done sixnow ready to build a project proposal for the review meeting of the project. Your target audience was the Director, CIO, CTO, Senior Network Engineer, Consultant or someone approving a budget for the project. It 'important to keep your ideas with clarity and professionalism available. If you need a presentation, PowerPoint slides work well and could be used to support the concepts of the project proposal document. The focus is on such a proposal for a standard design and sequencePresentation of this information.

The project proposal of work submitted to the tests after the removal of all customer concerns proof of insurance Concept. The design review is an opportunity for you, your clients project proposal under consideration, all applications and discuss. It 'an opportunity for the client to identify the problems and issues should be clarified for the designer. Attention is then accept any changes, if necessary, and changes toInfrastructure, security and management before implementation begins. Business and design requirements when the project started, sometimes the changes will require changes to infrastructure, safety and specification management. The changes should then go through the proof of concept test again before changes to the proposed final design.

STEP 9: IMPLEMENTATION

The last step will give us the definition of implementation for the specified project.This describes a proposed method, the implementation of the proposed project, which have minimal disruption to the production network. How well must be efficient and cost-effectively as possible. As with previous methods, there is a sequence that should be well used.

Once completed, as well as network monitoring for all problems. Design and configuration are also modifications to resolve any problems or concerns. The book NetworkPlanning and Design Guide is available at amazon.com and ebookmall.com

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A Strategic Approach To Planning For A New Business Year - Ask Your Clients Questions

A new business year has begun and hopefully your strategic thinking and planning has been underway for some time. A strategic thinking business coach suggests that asking clients some probing questions will be very beneficial in your planning efforts for the new business year. The strategy of asking these questions is to gain insight for developing the best solutions for your clients' problems.

Asking questions will help you gain needed information from your clients; build rapport with your clients; increase the clients' comfort level; understand the clients' needs; and discover the clients' concerns, frustrations and fears.
You can begin by asking questions that will let you know what is going right with your clients and hen transition into areas where problems may have occurred. And it is always important to initially focus on your client, rather than you and your client. It is critical that you make sure the client understands that he or she has ownership in this process of questioning.

What are some examples of questions you could ask your clients? Your strategic thinking business coach suggests the following:

1. What are your goals for the new business year?

2. What strategies do you expect to use to capitalize on last year's successes?

3. What do you believe is the number one challenge for your business in the new year?

4. What is the single biggest frustration you have in your business going into the new year?

5. What is the one major change you want to make happen in your business in the new year?

6. What is the one thing you value most about our working relationship?

7. What can we do to sustain and enhance our business relationship?

8. How can we improve on the services we provide to you?

9. If you could change just one thing about our business relationship, what would it be?

10. How can we be a more valuable asset and resource for your business?

You will be pleasantly surprised at what your clients will divulge to you that they never to9ld you before. And why is this so? I will tell you why - because you never took the time to ask them. Your strategic thinking business coach advises "always know who you are doing business with" and if you do, you will be in a much more strategic position to provide better client solutions because you will understand your clients' real needs and goals.

Your strategic thinking business coach encourages you to use strategic thinking to plan for new business year. If you would like to learn more about the strategic advantages you can gain by asking your clients questions and how a strategic thinking business coach can facilitate and guide you in that endeavor, please contact Glenn Ebersole today through his website at http://www.businesscoach4u.com or by email at jgecoach@aol.com

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