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AT&T completes IT continuity project for Whitney National Bank
$2.1 million contract includes off-site data mirroring and storage, as well as multiprotocol label switching to allow bank officials to prioritize traffic among branches; effort is a model of responsible bank security
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Citrix and IBM team up on disaster gear
It is typically the case that employees disperse in the immediate aftermath of disaster — they stay with their families, or they cannot get to work, or the company’s facilities are damaged; two companies are jointly developing a product to connect such dispersed employees to each other — and to the company’s back-up data centers
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Unisys launches new business security ad campaign
Targeted at C-level executives, initiative includes a Fortune magazine cover featuring the recipient’s photograph; company hopes to sell IT security and continuity as competitive advantages, not as reactive responses to threats
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TransUnion joins CIMIP IT protection center
Company joins LexisNexis, IBM, and others at Utica College to help develop a national research agenda on identity management, information sharing and data protection
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IBM and Citrix to offer USB-based remote access service
When disaster strikes, an emergency response team inserts their keys into any available computer, automatically sending a message to employees that they are to follow suit with their own; employees then have access to remote versions of their desktop and can continue on as usual; system also allows for ongoing monitoring, scheduling, and communications
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Physical and IT security teams merge
Guards on patrol are now instructed to keep an eye out for open wireless networks and passwords written on sticky pads; $1.1 billion spent each year on bringing the two cultures together, but problems remain; integrating building and network access an emerging trend
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Survey finds replication at top of business continuity wish lists
A $2 billion industry looks to the future as demand grows for real-time data imaging; BakBone leads the way with a replication service that works across platforms and operating systems to achieve large-scale security at a low-scale cost
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Ireland leads neighbors in business continuity planning
Much remains to be done, but the Emerald Isle is far ahead of France, Germany, and Italy; half of Irish firms have no plans in place, compared to 75 percent elsewhere
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Continuity planning requires ongoing vigilence, experts say
Smart procedures are not enough; companies must constantly reevaluate and upgrade their systems; dedicated middle management and emergency drills are good approaches; many companies create emergency response teams to handle the load
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Highway association finds major problems with city evacuation plans
Major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Atlanta fail the grade; Kansas City shines; opportunities abound for the traffic management industry
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Alabama guardsman makes good with homeland security masters degree
Lt. Col. Butters takes advantage of distance learning, DHS funding, to add value to the Guard’s emergency recovery efforts; Naval Postgraduate School provides great education at a good value in a stunning locale
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RAE Systems strikes a deal with the National Guard
Company will supply portable gas and radiation detectors to fifty-five Guard Civil Support Teams; agile Rapid Deployment Kits consist of four specialized monitors and sensors
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OASIS and ITU to demonstrate CAP communications system in Geneva
Common Alerting Protocol is gaining ground as international interoperability standard; National Weather Service and U.S. Geological Survey have already adopted the text-based system for daily use; conference in Geneva will include demonstrations and discussion with national and international communications authorities
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Emergency communication choices: Part two
We review the utility of text messaaging, pagers, and fax machines; next week we consider Internet-based services, satellite communications, and conference services
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DHS withdraws $5 million from Disaster Management office
Division, intended to set standards for interoperability software, is seen as duplicative of other agencies’ efforts; contract-holder Battelle loses out as DHS plans to redistribute funds around the agency
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The long view
Machine Learning Could Predict Rare Disastrous Events Like Earthquakes or Pandemics
Researchers suggest how scientists can circumvent the need for massive data sets to forecast extreme events with the combination of an advanced machine learning system and sequential sampling techniques.
Americans Are Flocking to Wildfire
People are trading hurricane zones for wildfire areas, says national study of migration, natural disasters, and climate change.
Insurance for a Changing Climate
Among the many facets of the economy being challenged and changed by warming global temperatures is the insurance industry. Damaging extreme events such as wildfires, hurricanes, and floods are happening with greater frequency and intensity, which leaves insurance companies facing larger financial risks and paying out more in claims — and it also leaves policy holders paying higher prices to insure their homes and businesses.