EXERCISE #1 – CONTINGENCY PLANNING TO PROTECT ASSETS

In any discussion of security threats, it is natural to focus on the various criminal activities directed at organizations. However, as you learned so far in this class, particularly during our Week 2 discussion of risk assessment, there are numerous non-criminal risk events with which security operatives must be concerned. This fact is still very apparent when considering the devastating impact Hurricane Katrina had when it arrived off the Gulf Coast of the United States in 2005 and Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017. All these natural risk events led to catastrophic results impacting the U.S. Government, private companies, and United States citizens in terms of lost lives, psychological effect, and business operations.

“Business Continuity Guideline” is a 2005 ASIS International publication that provides a practical approach for emergency preparedness, crisis management, and disaster recovery. After thoroughly reviewing this document, summarize its contents and explain how the Guideline will assist you as a security operative for a Fortune 1000 company in protecting an organization’s assets. Incorporate into your response the actions you would take to prepare for a crisis like Katrina, Harvey, or Irma, or a fire, floods, earthquakes, utility failure, and a host of other possible emergencies so the organization can manage and survive the disaster or other emergencies and ensure the organization’s continued visibility and capability.

REMEMBER: Be sure to cite your sources from both the Learning Materials and outside research.

EXERCISE #2 – OSHA – MANAGING HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE WORKPLACE

In 1970, the U.S. Congress enacted the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) to address ever-increasing instances of death and injury in the workplace. The reason (and authority) for the Congress to become involved in this issue is because the injuries imposed a substantial burden upon and hindrance to interstate commerce. The goal of the Act, which established the Occupational Safety and Health Administration within the Department of Labor, was to promote a safe and healthy working environment for all employees.  

The “Small Business Handbook” is 2005 publication by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration provides security leaders and their organizations a cost-effective approach for managing health and safety at the work site by reducing occupational fatalities and injuries.

After carefully examining this Handbook and conducting any additional independent research as necessary, explain the main requirements of OSHA that you, as a security director, must understand and implement to ensure your company is indeed providing a safe environment for its employees and is compliant with applicable laws and regulations. Incorporate into your response how your routine and periodic responsibilities as a security director are impacted by the Act.