The nation’s standard guidelines for protecting the public from potential malevolent acts and other threats by enhancing the physical security of water and wastewater infrastructure systems draft guidelines were available for comment and trial use until June 30, 2007. The draft standards were then to be revised as necessary and submitted to the American National Standards Institute for approval as an American National Standard.

The voluntary standard guidelines Phase III of the Water Infrastructure Security Enhancements (WISE) program were jointly developed by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) with technical input from the Water Environment Federation (WEF). These security recommendations and improvements are beginning wider adoption with funding from DHS in 2009 and beyond.

Risk reduction standards for water, wastewater and stormwater systems are an essential part of protecting our nation’s infrastructure from potential terrorist threats. (more…)

Disaster Preparedness for Small Business – Have a Plan

Disaster comes in many forms for businesses, natural, man-made, and economic.  This blog is meant to provide some of the key items (food for thought).  Think about recent events that have hit many businesses, the down-turn in the economy,  the events of Huricane Katrina, the California wild fires, and devastation of areas by flooding in the midwest.  Clearly there are other events of the past that dictate awareness to their potential as well,  such as the events of  9/11, the industrial espionage that was discovered at Boeing, and other man-made domestic threats that impact companies ability to operate or even to continue to exist.

Think about the aspects of your business that are key to your operations.  For most companies the basics are communications, banking (access to funds), records (both finacial and customer), necessary supplies, your workforce, and a base of operations (where you work).

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