Be Prepared.

If you recognize that phrase, it may be because it has been the motor of the Boy Scouts of America for generations. In our everyday lives, we take steps to make sure that safety nets are there if we need them. From keeping a spare tire in the trunk to carrying an epipen in case of an insect sting, we maintain a state of advanced preparedness in many different facets of our lives.

But how prepared is your business if a disaster – sudden and unforeseen – should strike your operations?

In the digital media age, information sharing and communications is possible as has never been before. But in that same breath, while laws and regulations have made things skater in many aspects for businesses, a new chapter of unforeseen disasters has risen as a threat to normal business operations. From deliberate acts of terrorism, to severe weather, to illnesses and disease outbreaks, disaster can strike when it is least expected.

With an emphasis on business continuity in the event of a disaster, DRI International – an industry leader in business continuity – has informed business of proposed changes by the Department of Homeland Security to the Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program (PS-Prep). Under the proposed changes, institutions of higher learning will receive emergency preparedness certification through an accreditation system managed by the DHS.

According to DRI, the reference points for the new DHS accreditation system come from existing guidelines in codes used by the NFPA, BSI, and ASIS. At the same time, the DHS is in the process of establishing additional certifications and methods of certification that are designed for small business preparedness.

For more information on continuity planning, visit www.thecontinuitycenter.org.