Using Technology for your Hazard / Risk Assessments

When we conduct our Business Impact Analysis and/or a Hazard Analysis, our goal is to capture a comprehensive picture of what can disrupt operations. Perhaps the goal is to examine where to locate a backup facility or on a personal note, where to relocate our family to during an emergency. This week, we will discuss ways to enhance your awareness and assessments with a powerful, yet common and readily available tool.

First Scenario - You are concerned with any incoming weather as the building your company is leasing experiences leaks when it rains heavily. Using the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) website, you locate the predicted precipitation for the next 24 hours (See below). If you are in the Los Angeles area you have nothing to fear. However, if you are in eastern Texas, you might want to start your Continuity Plan as NOAA indicates you will see approximately 6.25" of rain in 24 hours.

However, this graphic only displays the predicted weather. What happens if you have a dispersed infrastructure which is affected by weather differently? In this case, we download the "Geospatial Information Systems" (GIS) data and open the files in Google Earth. Now we can dynamically examine the weather data against our own data vice examining a simple graphic.

We zoom into I-80 in the Sacramento area and observe a prediction of 4" of rain in the next 24 hours. When we add our own data, we see exactly where our systems or facilities fall within the predicted storm. Taking this data (below picture), we are able to plan ahead on an organizational level. This data is the same as the weather report we read online or watch on the 5pm news. However, this data is given to us visually instead of verbally. This picture instantly puts everything into context and enables Continuity Planners, Emergency Management Personnel, and families plan ahead, thereby reducing the impact of the storm and increasing our resiliency.

Another way to think about it, I replaced this forecast: "The next heavy round of wet weather should hit overnight and continue into the weekend, with decreasing temperatures and snow levels," with the above picture. Now layer your company's or family's locations on top of it and you have a graphic to assist the leadership in their decision making.

Second Scenario - The company is relocating, or expanding, to Portland. However, your company has been affected by crime in the past and you have been tasked with finding a key location, but remain isolated from crime if possible. In this instance, we start with the City of Portland's website and download their GIS crime data. The below picture indicates there does not appear to be any area isolated from crime overall.

So, we isolate the burglary crimes as that has been the biggest perceived threat against our company. Now, we see a different picture:

Now, there are several areas which have almost no reported burglaries. You can now use this data / graphic to assist your decision making process.

Perhaps wild fires are a particular threat to your facilities. In this case, we examine the below picture and find that the urban area of Portland seems isolated from the wild fire threat. Since the wild fire threat is mainly to the west, you and your company elect to locate your new facility across the river, to the east, thereby further insulating you against the threat.

Third Scenario - Your company wants to find a facility to house its backup servers and data archives. The leadership's primary concern is flooding. You have been asked to determine a location in both West Sacramento and DC. Using either FEMA Flood data or Insurance Flood data, you produce the following two graphics:

If you had the crime, weather, and / or the infrastructure data for these locations you would be able to best determine your future location thereby reducing the risk ahead of time. Imagine the ability to mitigate against a large number of risks before the company even selects a location! Imagine this ability before relocating your family!

Fourth Scenario: You want to direct your supply trucks or couriers around the problematic traffic areas to mitigate against delayed deliveries. Taking a week's worth of incident data you produce the below 'Hotspot' Map:

You can now assess the best major routes in and around the Washington, DC and Baltimore Area.

Final Scenario: A hurricane is bearing down on the east coast. As the Business Continuity Manager for XYZ, Inc, you want to determine how many hurricanes have affected the National Capital Region which originated from the general location and month as the current hurricane. Using a free downloadable program from FEMA and the Army Corp of Engineers, you conduct the below analyses to assess the risk to your company.

As the hurricane closes on DC, you want to determine the flood risk given the current path of the hurricane.

Based upon this analysis, it appears DC is in the 'possible' flood zone and as long as the path remains unchanged, the area should have a low to moderate risk for flooding based solely on rain fall. Any storm surge would alter this as well.

It does not matter if it is business or personal locations we are assessing, a picture is worth a thousand words. In my experience, it is much more efficient and easier to brief leadership using pictures vice lengthy write ups. Additionally, if you are able to produce this type of analysis as a portion of your Risk Analysis / Hazard Analysis or just to move your family across town, using commonly available technology can greatly enhance your ability to make effective and important decisions. Get the information, assess the risk, pursue resilience.

All of these analysis and graphics were produced by me. If you or your company would like an assessment please contact me using the comment block below. The comments will be sent to directly to me and not become a public comment without my review. Leave an email to contact you at.