APR 2014 – Protect Your Investment In The Advent Of A Disaster

In a continuation of our Newsletter series on preparing for disaster, manmade or natural, this edition will focus on safe guarding your company and securing your physical assets.

Inadequate insurance coverage can lead to major financial loss if your business is damaged, destroyed or simply disrupted for a period of time. Insurance policies vary; so check with your agent or provider about things such as physical losses, flood coverage, business interruption. Understand what your policy covers and what it does not.

Businesses are often dependent on electricity, gas, telecommunications, sewer and other utilities. You should plan ahead for extended disruptions during and after a disaster. Speak with service providers about potential alternatives and identify back-up options such as portable generators to power the vital aspects of our business.

While there is no way to predict what will happen or what your business’ circumstances will be, there are things you can do in advance to help protect you physical assets. Install fire extinguisher, smoke alarms, and detectors in appropriate places. Secure ingress and egress and plan for mail safety. Plan what you will do if your building, plant or store is not useable. Secure valuable equipment and make sure your building’s HVAC system is working properly and is well-maintained. You should also determine if you can feasibly upgrade the building’s filtration system as a means of protection from biological and some other airborne threats.

Protecting your data information technology systems may require specialized expertise but even the smallest business can be better prepared. Use anit-virus software and keep it up-to-date. Don’t open email from unknown sources. Use hard-to-guess passwords. Protect your computer from Internet intruders by using firewalls. Back up your computer data and download security protection updates known as patches regularly.

An investment in planning today will not only help protect your business investment and your livelihood, but will also support your employees, customers and stakeholders, the community, the local economy and even the country.

Be ready start now.