Evolving Threats and the Importance of Emergency Preparedness

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Today’s evolving threat landscape makes emergency preparedness a critical priority for organizations across industries. While every business and workplace faces different risks, organizations must maintain a state of readiness and take a proactive approach to prevention and response. 

As threats, operating environments, and security challenges change, preparedness plans must keep pace.  Regularly reviewing plans, training employees, and clarifying roles and responsibilities can help organizations maintain readiness and better prepare for the unexpected.

Is Your Emergency Preparedness Plan Keeping Pace?

As concerns over public safety evolve, organizations should consider whether their preparedness plans are keeping pace. Terrorism, radicalism, and cybersecurity incidents are among the threats organizations may face, making it important to consider whether emergency preparedness plans are broad enough to meet the demands of a changing threat landscape.

Key questions to consider include:
 

• Does your emergency preparedness plan address the range of risks that could affect your organization?
• Do employees understand their roles in prevention, preparedness, drills, reporting, and response?
• Are plans regularly reviewed and updated to reflect changes in threats, operations, and the workplace?

Preparedness requires ongoing attention to help close the gaps and strengthen readiness across the organization.

Take a Holistic Approach

Effective emergency preparedness requires coordination across the organization. Security plays an important role in helping recognize potential risks, assess vulnerabilities, and support prevention and response planning. Executive leadership, security, human resources, training, and other key functions each bring important perspectives and expertise to preparedness efforts. 

Bringing these teams together can help mitigate vulnerabilities, establish responsibilities, and create a coordinated approach before an emergency occurs. Employees should also understand what is expected of them and how to report concerns or respond when an incident takes place.

 

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Prepare for a Range of Events

Emerging threats require attention, but organizations cannot lose sight of other events that have the potential to disrupt operations and put people at risk. A comprehensive emergency preparedness plan should account for a range of potential scenarios, including:
 

• Natural disasters and severe weather
• Workplace violence
• Protests and civil unrest
• Terrorism and extremist threats
• Cybersecurity incidents

Understanding the risks most relevant to your organization and planning for different scenarios can help support preparedness and business continuity.

Make Preparedness an Ongoing Priority

Emergency preparedness cannot be treated as a one-time exercise. It should be an ongoing part of an organization’s security strategy and operations.

Regular planning, training, drills, and communication can help pinpoint gaps, solidify expectations, and keep preparedness top of mind. As threats and operating environments evolve, organizations should continue to evaluate their plans, resources, and training to address changing needs.  Allied Universal® works with organizations to assess risks and develop emergency preparedness strategies tailored to their unique environments and needs.

Allied Universal is a member of the ASPP Community of Experts, the Active Shooter Prevention Project. https://aspppro.com. We’re proud to partner with an organization that champions standards and best practices in active shooter prevention and preparedness. 

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