Businesses paying up for disaster prevention

-Story from the Miami Herald -

In Wilma's wake, South Florida companies are increasingly taking steps to protect their businesses from disasters. By Christina Hoag choag@herald.com


Pompano Beach insurance agency Frank H. Furman Inc. didn't wait for Hurricane Wilma to hit. It put in the call last Friday to its business recovery service to get a mobile-home-like unit on the road, equipped with satellite phones and Internet, computer stations and servers.

Tuesday morning, Furman's office had no power or phones but agents were busy calling customers and processing claims from the trailer parked in the company's lot.

''I don't anticipate any lost income at all,'' said Dirk DeJong, president. ``We're fully operational. We've been getting claims out via satellite.''

After being socked with a punishing series of hurricanes in the past two seasons, South Florida businesses are starting to get smart.

Companies are signing up by the droves for everything from waterproof/fireproof safes to data protection services to cellular building repeater systems.

''Unfortunately, it does take a disaster for people to say `holy cow! We should have had this in place','' said Johnny Klemme, marketing director of K.L. Security Enterprises, an Indiana company that sells indestructible safes for computer hard drives and waterproof/fireproof filing cabinets.

The now-familiar post-hurricane panorama of extended power outages, vast wind destruction and severe flooding is making companies all too aware of the hazards of not taking precautions to protect valuable data, as well as the importance of staying open for business despite an emergency.

''We cannot afford to be down at all,'' said Thomas Travis, managing partner of Miami's Sandler Travis & Rosenberg. ``We live in a global economy where communication is instantaneous, we work 24 hours a day.''

The law firm is one of a dozen new clients that have come knocking at Terremark's downtown Miami bunker since Monday.

In a windowless, fortified steel and concrete facility designed to withstand a Category 5 hurricane, Terremark can store computer hardware and software prior to a storm or jump-start a company's servers and Internet in a posterior blackout.

Armed with its own generators, fuel, air-conditioning system and food and water for personnel, Terremark can maintain itself as an island in the middle of a storm for more than three weeks -- continuously maintaining its network connectivity.

Since last year, business has jumped more than 10 percent, said Terremark's Chief Marketing Officer Javier Rodríguez. Still this week marked a few firsts.

''We've seen things we've never seen before,'' he said. ``We had a company roll up here with a truck full of computers.''

Some companies like Furman Insurance opt for a business recovery service. They pay a monthly fee, ranging from around $200 to $1,250, and when business looks like it's heading for force majeure, they call for a portable office to be trucked in within 48 hours so they can keep operating.

''We've had 21 clients calling from Florida since Monday,'' said Bob Boyd, president of Agility Recovery Services of Charlotte, N.C. ``We're bringing them generators, satellite phones, whatever they need.''

The phone's also ringing off the hook at K.L. Security Enterprises from such Floridians as Cheryl Young, administrative assistant at Polaris Connectors, a manufacturer of electrical wire connectors.

The company didn't suffer damage from Wilma, but reports of others' misfortune was enough to prompt Young to plunk down $1,285 for a waterproof/fireproof safe.

''We've been through preparing for four hurricanes in the past 15 months, and we read a lot of articles about people not having emergency preparedness plans,'' she said.

At Coral Springs company CellAntenna, President Howard Melamed is dealing with requests for antennas and other products that improve cellphone reception when networks are congested and towers are knocked out. ''We sell a lot to FEMA,'' he said. ``We'll get a lot of calls next week, that's what when we saw clients come in with Katrina.''

Companies say that Hurricane Wilma has shown that backup systems have become an essential business expense.

''This is not a luxury,'' said Travis. `This is a requirement.'

Bank Safes – High Security & Tool Resistant

If you don’t know anything about safes you should know that there are many different types - dedicated to a wide variety of applications including: Fireproof or fire resistant, Classified Document Rated, and Tool and Torch Attack Resistant, etc. These ratings are normally set by the Underwriters Laboratory, an independent testing organization for thousands of products in the United States.

Tool resistant safes are engineered tough to protect against forced entry. However the ratings applied to the safes vary according to how they are tested and how well they perform. One such rating for high security bank safe application is a forced entry resistance rating. This is vital for any business such a bank, financial institution, jewelry store etc., looking for a safe to protect valuables from burglary. Below we have outlined a list of forced entry ratings with definitions to help you make an informed decision on which safe is right for you.

TL-15 U.L. Labeled: A safe that has been tested to be resistant to a certain list of tools for a period of fifteen minutes. During this test only the door is attacked. The body of the safe must be at least 1 inch thick steel. The safe must also be at least 750lbs. or it must have a way to anchor to the floor.

TL- 30 U.L. Labeled: A safe that has been tested to be resistant to a certain list of tools for a period of thirty minutes. During this test only the door is attacked. The body of the safe must be at least 1 inch thick steel. The safe must also be at least 750lbs. or it must have a way to anchor to the floor.

TL-60 U.L. Labeled: A safe that has been tested to be resistant to a certain list of tools for a period of sixty minutes. During this test only the door is attacked. The body of the safe must be at least 1 inch thick steel. The safe must also be at least 1000lbs. or it must have a way to anchor to the floor.

TR – Adding the letters TR to a tool rating means that the safe is torch resistant for the specified amount of time. (TLTR-15)

TX - Adding the letters TX to a tool rating means that the safe will resist Nitroglycerine and other high explosives for the specified amount of time. (TXTL-15)

X6- Adding this to a tool rating means that the rating applies to all six sides of the safe not just the door as is the case in ratings without the x6. (TLTR-15x6)

Disaster Recovery Planning - a must read

Do the research, and don’t get burned

Joe has finished school to learn about marketing a cpa firm and accounting practice management, and has now gained the necessary capital to start his own accounting practice business that he has been dreaming of for years. Now Joe has rented office space and purchased all the necessities including furniture, file cabinets, an office safe, and the necessary coverage to insure all his business assets. His career in accounting was well on its way.

It has now been over 4 years since Joe first began his accounting practice, and his business has evolved into an outstanding performer exceeding all expectations. Joe has even managed to start a second element of his business that involves just marketing for accountants. Things were going great, until one night when all of Joe’s irretrievable accounting records were destroyed by an intense office fire disaster caused by faulty electrical wiring. Joe’s insurance would get him the building back, but there was nothing he could do about all the accounting records and data lost. Such travesty could’ve been prevented had Joe put a little more thought into his file cabinet and safe purchases.

File cabinets and safes are more than big metal objects with doors and drawers that hold paper documents and other forms of very valuable media. Safes and file cabinets are “protectors” of your vitally important records and data against the threat of fire, humidity, and water damage, thus ultimately protecting your business. Before buying a safe or file cabinet, it is extremely important to know what to look for in order to purchase fireproof products that are “up to par” in protecting the existence of your business practice.

The most important thing check for, in regard to safe and file cabinet purchases, is that the product has been tested by Underwriters Laboratories. Underwriters Laboratories Inc. is a nonprofit organization that has been testing products for public safety and buyer confidence for more than 100 years. A UL label will indicate that the product has indeed passed some form of UL testing, though a UL label is not synonymous with fire protection - look for a UL Class or UL Rated label. In order to protect the future of your business, make sure that the safe and file cabinet in question possesses a label that includes a separate section indicated by “Classified by Underwriters Laboratories as to fire resistance”, with a designated rating that involves “class” and “hours”. This will indicate that the product is “UL 350”, “UL 125” or “UL 72” certified. Thus, you can be confident that this fireproof safe or file cabinet is made to withstand extremely hot temperatures (exceeding 800 degrees Fahrenheit) for at least 30 minutes of time (or as indicated by hour rating).

Don’t end up like Joe. By knowing that your cabinets and safes are UL72 certified, you will gain the peace of mind that all your precious business records are safe and sound.

This article was written by Seth Tachick for New Clients Inc (www.newclientsinc.com). NCI offers programs of marketing for accountants, accounting services and CPA practices.

Fireproof Network Backup System

In today's digital age when a company is faced with a computer or disk failure, the disaster recovery can be very difficult. It would be wise to put into a place your own personal contingency plan for your personal computer or small business network. So how can this be accomplished? There are several simple steps that you can take, as well as products on the market that we will review here today.

Regular Backup of your Computer or Network
Even if you don't use a fireproof network backup safe, offsite storage, or a combination of the two - it is wise to get in the habit of regularly backing up your computer data. If you experience a hardware crash or malicious virus, you can rest assured that all of your hard work is not lost.

Disaster Contingency
According to statistics, 80% of small businesses that go through a disaster such as a fire do not last more than two years. Why is this?? Often times this can be blamed on lost records and data - a customer database, sales records, receipts, insurance documents, etc. are all lost in the fire, with no chance of every recovering them. One solution is to purchase a fireproof safe, another is to use offsite storage. Increasingly, as our reliance on computers continues to grow, it is important to note that there are products available on the market today for continuous computer backup, directly into a fireproof hard drive. These cost effective solutions offer you a complete Disaster contingency plan with one investment. Not only is your data safe from the ravages of fire, but it's guaranteed to be recovered in the event of a disaster! That in itself is worth the intial cost, as most companies can never put a dollar amount on their critical data - it's priceless.

Product Review
Disaster Ready Drive from ioSafe - Recently our company, KL Security Enterprises partnered with ioSafe to offer our customers the only fireproof hard drive on the market today. We recognized the need for a product like the ioSafe, especially for small businesses, and are convinced that products like the ioSafe are the most cost effective solution for business continuity on both a small and large scale. With prices starting at just over $2,000, the ioSafe should be considered a one time investment to preserve the future of your business.

GSA Approved Security Containers…What are they and where can I find one?

The General Service Administration (GSA) has approved certain safes (although many look like file cabinets) for the storage of classified documents, weapons, ammunition, valuables, pharmaceuticals, etc. So how do you know who is required to use them, what type you are required to use, and where you can you get them?
Anyone that has information that is deemed Classified by the Government is required to store that information in one of these containers. This could be a Federal office, a University, a Government Contractor or Sub-Contractor, or the Military to name a few.

Throughout the history of these containers there have been a total of 7 Classes designed and manufactured. However, only Class 5 and Class 6 are still currently approved and manufactured, all others have become obsolete. Class 6 is the lesser rated container and is approved only for the storage of classified documents, Class 5 holds a higher rating designed to resist forced entry and is required for weapons, ammunition, pharmaceuticals, and other valuables. Considering the price difference it is a good idea to be familiar with the requirements.

All GSA Approved Safes and containers have locks that meet the Federal Requirements listed under Federal Specification FF-L-2740. Currently the standard for most of these containers is the X-09 Lock that is designed to allow for either a single or dual combination.

Additionally, one of the discontinued GSA Approved containers was a fireproof container. Currently there are NO Federal Specifications for this type of product, however it is advised that if you purchase a Fireproof Filing Cabinet or Fireproof Safe that you make sure that it is UL Rated(Underwriters Laboratories).

I have looked everywhere online! Where can I find them?

Available Class 6 Security Containers:

Two, Four, and Five Drawer File Cabinets / Single or Multi Lock

Field Safes / Single or Dual Lock

Map and Plan Cabinets / Custom Interiors


Available Class 5 Security Containers:

Two and Four Drawer File Cabinets / Single or Multi Lock

Map and Plan Cabinets / Custom Interiors

Weapons Containers / Custom Interiors


For more information regarding GSA Approved Security Container call 1-866-867-0305

10 Tips for Buying a Fireproof Safe

10 Tips for Buying a Fireproof Safe

So you want to buy a fireproof safe? Great, now which one?

Fireproof safes have played a vital role in helping businesses survive disasters. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornados and even hurricanes are often the cause of many fires that destroy businesses each year. With proper planning (referred to as business continuity or disaster recovery) you’ll get the exact fire safe that you need – at the best price possible. Product knowledge puts power into your hands as a consumer, but remember you usually get what you pay for.

For fireproof hard drives, click here.

Here are 10 Tips to help ensure you are getting the right protection, at the right price.

1. Know what you are storing
Most people don’t realize that there are two types of fire safes on the market today. Those for paper document storage (insurance papers, wills, checks, receipts, etc) and those for data storage or computer media. Once you’ve decided what you are storing, then you can determine the price range you will be looking at. Data Safes carry a UL 125 or UL 72 Rating, Document Storage Safes carry the UL 350 fire rating.
Remember – you can’t store computer data in a fire safe rated for paper – it will melt!

2. Fire Safes carry different fire ratings
For the storage of computer media, you must have a safe with a UL 125 or UL 72 fire rating. Without this rating, your computer media will melt in the event of a fire. This UL (Underwriter’s Laboratories) rating means that the internal of the safe will not go above 125° F – the temperature at which computer media (CD’s, DVD’s, LTO tapes, DAT tapes, microfiche, film negatives, etc) melt.

3. UL Listed vs. UL Rated and Tested
There is a difference. Have you ever noticed a product that proclaimed, “tested to UL standards?” If you have, hopefully you didn’t purchase it. This is a sales technique that simply means that they submitted the product to UL for testing. It does not, however, mean that the product passed the test! If it actually passed the test it would say “UL Listed.” Buyer beware. Check out our online resource library for the details on UL Ratings.

4. Will your floor support the weight of the safe?
One thing to take into consideration is whether or not your floor has the ability to support the weight of the safe. If you are purchasing a large safe and it is going to be placed on an elevated floor it is a good idea to have an engineer do an inspection to make sure that the building can support the load.

5. How many hours of fire protection do you need? 1 hour? 2 hours? 3 hours?
Statistically speaking, the average fire burns at around 800°F for about 20 minutes. The UL test for both UL 125°F and UL 350°F ratings is performed for 1 hour at 1700°F. In the 130 year history of Schwab Corp they have never had a product fail, and they only manufacture 1 hour safes. Fire King, manufacturer of 1 hour, 2 hour, and 3 hour safes, in their 50 year history has also never had a product fail. So what does this mean? Unless you are in an area that is a substantial distance from your local fire department, history shows that a 1 hour fireproof safe provides more than adequate protection.

6. Do you need the extra security of Burglary or Impact ratings?
Keep in mind, the fireproof rating is just one of the UL Tests that these safes go through. Some are also tested, and UL Listed, to protect against theft and building collapse.

The burglary tests are very rigorous tests during which the UL technicians are allowed to use hand tools, picking tools, mechanical or portable electrical tools, grinding tools, etc. Higher burglary rated safes have the tests conducted for longer break in periods, or continuously attempting to breach the safe. RSC (Residential Security Container), B Rated and C Rated safes are tested for 5 minutes, TL-15 are tested for 15 minutes, and TL-30 are tested for 30 minutes. Visit our Burglary Rating Resource Section.
Safes can also be submitted to an Impact Test. This test is designed to replicate a 3 story building collapse. Immediately after going through the fireproof test, within 2 minutes of being heated to 1700°F, the safe is raised to a height of 30ft and is dropped onto a pile of bricks on a concrete base. If the safe remains closed and does not spill its contents it has passed the UL Impact test.

7. Interior Accessory Options – Which do you need?
Generally speaking, all safes are priced with empty interiors. That is due to the fact that everyone has a different storage need. From fixed shelves to roll out multi-media drawers, there is an interior accessory designed to accommodate virtually every kind of media, document, or valuable.

8. Do you require high security locks?
Combination locks are the general standard when it comes to safes, but there are a number of options out there if you require additional security. Deciding which one is right for you will depend on the level of security you are looking to attain. Some available options include:
• Group 2 Combination Lock (standard)
• Group 1R Combination Lock (manipulation proof)
• Group 2 Combination Lock with Key Locking Dial
• Key Locking Handle
• Digital Combination Lock

Each high security lock has it’s Pros and Cons – know your options, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Click here for the Schwab Corp Fireproof Safe Lock Options


9. Will you need a specialized delivery service?
All safes prices include free dock to dock delivery, but what does this mean? This means that the safe will be delivered to your loading dock. The drivers only job is to back the truck up to the dock, it is the customers responsibility to remove the safe from the truck and place it in its desired location. Inside delivery service is always an option, and generally advised considering the fact that some safes weigh over 2,000 lbs., but there will be some questions that need to be addressed first, including:
• Do you have a loading dock?
• Are there any stair steps involved?
• Is there a freight elevator?
• Do you require floor protection?
• What are the doorway dimensions?

Asking these questions first allows us to give a more accurate delivery quote. If the questions are not answered correctly and there is a discrepancy when the inside delivery company arrives additional charges may apply.

10. What does UL 125 or UL 350 actually mean?
These are the two tests that UL has to determine fireproof capability. The UL 125 test is for media, such as computer discs, microfilm, and videotapes and means that during the 1 hour 1700°F test the internal temperature of the safe will not exceed 125°F. Media begins to melt at 140°F. Similarly, the UL 350 test, rated for the storage of paper documents which begin to char at 400°F, assures that the internal temperature will not exceed 350°F.

Disaster Ready Digital Solutions from ioSafe Drive Small Business

October 4th, 2005 - - Working to provide small businesses with a cost effective disaster recovery solution, K.L. Security Enterprises, LLC has announced a strategic alliance with ioSafe to market and distribute their new Disaster Ready Drive - a Fireproof and Waterproof Back up Hard Drive.

“We bring a diverse customer base, and an experienced sales team that understands the value a Disaster Ready Hard Drive adds to a business. By rolling this product out through our current customers and website community (with thousands of visitors each month) we are providing a very cost effective way to improve market awareness, offer direct routes to precise buying groups and gauge the overall market by learning the needs and concerns of those businesses,” said John Klemme, President of K.L. Security Enterprises, LLC. “As small and medium size businesses look at solutions for instant data recovery in the event of a natural disaster, we are confident that the Disaster Ready Drive will stand out as cost effective solution for both disaster recovery and business continuity planning.”

The ioSafe adds a new dimension to the complete line of fireproof file cabinets and fireproof safes that K.L. Security currently offers. As small and medium sized businesses rely more and more on their computers, the ioSafe has made it affordable to securely store data on-site and provide easy access.

According to Travis Easter, National Accounts Manager at K.L. Security, “Many companies and even homeowners understand the need to store their documents or personal information in fireproof file cabinets or fireproof safes, but it’s just as important to protect and backup digital information as well. Statistics show that most small businesses don’t survive a disaster, but with proper disaster recovery planning the lifeblood of our nation’s economy will continue on.”

About ioSafe

ioSafe is an emerging leader in disaster ready computer hardware and software solutions for safeguarding critical digital data. ioSafe focuses on developing disaster ready solutions which are easy to install, easy to maintain and provide 24/7 protection for businesses and individual users.


About K.L. Security Enterprises, LLC

K.L. Security Enterprises, LLC is a leading nationwide dealer of fireproof file cabinets, fireproof safes, secure data backup solutions, GSA Approved high security containers, and custom built storage containers. Available products can be researched at the following websites, www.klsecurity.com & www.safefile.com.

Small businesses struggle after Katrina-Rita

All over the southern United States people have fled their homes and entire communities have been abandoned. Lives have been destroyed, houses have been leveled and small businesses are struggling to get back to square one. The wake of Katrina and Rita have left many Americans homeless and out of work.

In the United States, small businesses account for 99.7% of all employers. They are the driving force that makes our economy turn. Without them unemployment would skyrocket and our economy would crumble. Small businesses fail not only due to the fact that they themselves may have experienced a disaster but also due to the fact that another small business, one that perhaps supplies them with necessary parts or services has experienced a disaster. Far too often, small businesses are the last to implement proper business continuity plans and due to that are the most susceptible to failure.

According to the United States Department of Labor 40% of all businesses that have experienced a disaster never reopen and over 25% of those that do reopen go out of business within 2 years. After the 2 years we are left with 35% remaining. How did they survive? They were prepared. They created a plan and invested both time and money into preemptive disaster recovery measures.

Larger corporations survive due to the fact that they tend to back up their important information, such as employee names and phone numbers, previous customers contact information, and insurance information at offsite locations. This however is not a viable option for many small businesses due to cost and the need for instant retrieval.

According to Johnny Klemme, President of K.L. Security Enterprises, LLC  there are many options out there for small businesses that are both very effective and affordable. “Hurricane Katrina devastated many businesses and there is no doubt that many of them will never recover. Many of them did not take the necessary steps to assure that they would be able to quickly access their important records and be able to keep in touch with both their customers and their employees. Many of our customers in the affected areas have purchased equipment such as the Schwab Corp line of Trident File cabinets that are designed not only for fire protection but also water protection and I am sure that they now see the value in their decision. In the event of a flood or even a fire that is being doused with thousands of gallons of water their documents are going to stay dry.” Mr. Klemme goes on to say, “Whether you are in a flood prone area or an area that is susceptible to forest fires or earthquakes we have solutions for everyone. One of the newest products available is called the ioSafe. This is the latest technology in on-site computer hard drive data backup and is designed as a cost effective way for small businesses to insure their survival in the event of a disaster.”Visit the following link to find out more about the Disaster Ready Drive