BCM needs hybrid approach

security and business continuity planning is required to meet today's threats, says the US Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), reports Continuity Central.

As the US commemorates the 10-year anniversary of the 11 September 2001 attack, it is important for businesses to keep in mind that terrorism is entirely unlike natural disasters, and must look at terrorist acts in a wholly different way than they look at natural hazards.

“The underlying, unique characteristics of modern terrorism cause traditional property-casualty loss prevention tools and techniques to fall short with respect to this still very real and present risk,” says Julie Rochman, president and CEO of IBHS.

“While physical security improvements in high occupancy buildings and other public/private infrastructure will help protect the nation in the event that terrorists break through our protective defences, there are limitations to what can be achieved through building science.”

Property Casualty 360 quotes Debra Ballen, general counsel and senior VP of public policy for IBHS, as saying: “The hybrid approach of combining structural mitigation and business continuity is something we are seeing a lot more of across the board.”

Regarding terrorism, a lot of structural mitigation is outside the abilities of the individual business owner, she said, adding that there has been more emphasis on business continuity planning.

In fact, a recommendation made by the 9/11 Commission was for business continuity, which needs to be part of the equation in managing terrorism risk, she added.

“The beauty of continuity planning is that it's not peril-sensitive,” she explained. “We encourage businesses to conduct a hazard analysis.”