Orlando, Florida
These past few days I've spent some time at the DRJ Spring 2007 tradeshow with our friends from ioSafe, engineers and manufacturers of disaster proof hardware. While the tradeshow was attended primarily by Business Continuity professionals (many with the esteemed ABCP or MBCP certification) from around the world, I found the event this year (like years past) to be of benefit and great importance to business professionals at all levels.
From my perspective I view all of the operational systems of a business as important to continuity and disaster recovery - IT environments and access to mission critical data are important to the business process - just like the real people working. Compared to Fall 2006 show there were far more IT vendors present - including IBM, HP, ioSafe, and even eVault. Certainly a testament to the growing importance of business continuity planning.
Tradeshow Spotlight
There were many companies that caught my eye this year and below you will learn a bit more about twoof these companies who, in my humble opinion, are really on the cutting edge of business continuity processes and developments.
COOP Systems - Business Continuity Software
Web based BCP software from COOP Systems is the cream of the crop for functionality, ease of use , and TCO. I had the luxury of getting a demonstration from some of the senior analysts at COOP Systems and was very impressed with the how easy it was to navigate and find answers to common questions. The Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and risk data collection features are very thorough and helpful to BC and DR planners who identify and mitigate risks at an enterprise level. Add in the customization aspect, available in real time, and you'll probably seriously consider choosing COOP Systems.
Try it our for yourself with a Demo or Free Trial by contacting Christy Downs at
christydowns@coop-systems.com
freetrial@coop-systems.com
eVault, a Seagate Company
Most companies use a combination of on-site and off-site data backup and recovery strategies. eVault stands out as one of the true disk-to-disk online backup companies that will easily help you achieve automated, hassle-free data protection. With solutions for small businesses and the largest of enterprises the eVault system can also assist any company in demonstrating compliance for the multitude of Federal Regulations set forth for security and data recoverability. E.g. Security and access control, as well as data recovery in the event of a disaster (computer crash, computer virus, server crash, fire, flood, etc.)
Online backup (like any single method) does have it’s drawbacks –while business critical data backed up online gives you the benefit of off-site recovery, your recovery point objective and recovery time objective can be quite large (to those not familiar with RPO and RTO this means that you may only be able to recover data from yesterday if you are not utilizing a continuous data protection method or CDP). Minimizing the RTO and RPO are very important to many businesses – so it’s always a best business practice to implement some sort of continuous data protection (CDP) strategy that is up to the minute, if not real time.
Something that I found quite interesting about eVault is the level of customer service and service level agreements offered in their programs – IT solutions coupled with complete consulting services. Couple that with the high availability of disk to disk backup (and greater reliability than tapes) and it’s no wonder why so many businesses choose eVault.
In a Nutshell
All things considered the DRJ show was certainly a treat for me. When looking at the big picture for business continuity, every product or service is simply insurance. Whether you are a small business or large enterprise there will always be a preferred plan that is best for your environment - but I truly believe that it's important to consider all aspects of operational activities for business continuity and disaster recovery. The times are changing quickly and soon BC and DR professionals will need a complete understanding of not only business processes, but also IT environments and data backup and recovery strategies.
For those of you that are new to Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery, the DRJ trade shows are certainly one of the best places to start learning how to tackle these very important business tasks from both an operational and disaster recovery perspective. There ARE ways to meet short and long term business goals, tackle budget concerns, and even regulatory compliance issues – you’ll find out how with a visit to the DRJ Spring or Fall World Shows.
To learn more about becoming a participant or exhibitor at the upcoming DRJ show in San Diego, CA visit http://www.drj.com/
The experts at KL Security help businesses small and large with secure document storage and computer data backup. From consulting and on site business continuity planning to complete fireproof storage solutions (including fire safes, fireproof cabinets, and vault doors) our team has experience in the GSA (Govt.) Approved Security market place and beyond. If you have any questions, we have the answers -Trust K.L. Security, Your Secure Vital Records Storage Provider.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Monday, March 26, 2007
New to the Team
It's quite astonishing what a new face in the office can do for the work environment. There is a new energy that puts a smile on everyone's face, courtesy of our new office kitten, Spot.
While Spot still has much to learn about data protection appliances and our fireproof safe lines, her daily antics of chasing toys around the office floor or jumping from desk to desk remind all of us here at KL Security of the simple joys in life. It's important to laugh, smile, and enjoy the many things outside of work that satisfy each and every one of us. When the daily grind of the 8 to 5 is getting the best of us, it's comforting to be reminded of the little joys in life. Thanks Kitty.
We'll keep working hard to delivery the best safes in West Lafayette, IN
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Classified Information Storage Briefing
CLASSIFIED STORAGE POLICY SHIFT
UNCLASSIFIED DOCUMENT
top-se·cret: [top-see-krit]: National security information or material that requires the highest degree of protection and the unauthorized disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security.
se·cret: [see-krit]: National security information or material that requires a substantial degree of protection and the unauthorized disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to cause serious damage to the national security.
con·fi·den·tial: /[kon-fi-den-shuhl]: National security information or material that requires protection and the unauthorized disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to cause damage to the national security.
Date: September 22nd, 2009
Your company has been working on several projects for the United States Government. Some of this work is deemed Top Secret. Information about this project is required to be stored in a GSA Approved Security Container. Current options include Class 5 and Class 6. Class 5, generally speaking, is for the storage of anything other than Classified Documents – Think physical items such as weapons, ammunition, evidence, Schedule II Narcotics, access control keys, etc. Class 6 is the lower rated of the two and is required for the storage of Top Secret information.
Other projects are deemed Secret or Confidential by Federal standards. The containers you have been using to store information about these projects are simply steel filing cabinets with a metal lock bar that runs down the entire container and is secured with a key operated or combination padlock.
Up until today’s date, October 1st, 2012, the steps you have taken to ensure that the physical security requirements set forth by the United States Government have been sufficient. You have passed previous inspections from the DoD and fully expect and assume you will pass any future inspections.
as·sume: [uh-soom]: to take something for granted; presume
As of October 1st, 2012 you can NO LONGER store ANY Classified Information, regardless of whether it is deemed Top Secret, Secret, or Confidential in ANYTHING OTHER THAN A GSA APPROVED SECURITY CONTAINER.
According to the word flowing through the grapevine, there will be inspections, and infractions will be met with serious consequences, up to and including pulling government contracts!
This is a serious issue, a dramatic change in policy, and a matter that needs to be given utmost attention. Large DoD Subcontractors are acting now. There is a VERY limited production capability in this market. Do not wait until the last minute to evaluate your current and future storage needs.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us to discuss your situation.
Bottom Line: If you store any type or level of Classified Information YOU WILL be directly affected by this policy shift.
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