Had to share this picture of DRI International's Julie Fettig trying out an "escape chair" at the recent NFPA conference that DRI International attended in June in Las Vegas. Looks like Julie is having fun, but having just spent several months in a wheelchair, it made me think that I should share escape chairs with you just in case you don't know about them. Says Wikipedia, "An evacuation chair or escape chair is a lightweight wheelchair used to evacuate a physically disabled person from an area of danger. Such chairs may be folded to a small size and stowed in much the same manner as other firefighting equipment such as fire hoses and fire extinguishers."

Become a BCP Auditor!

Did you know that DRI International, the world leader in business continuity certification, also offers business continuity audit certification? That's right. You can become a Certified Business Continuity Auditor (CBCA)* with the skills and 2knowledge you need to dissect and evaluate business continuity programs for audit. This skill set is invaluable for aspiring auditors, industry consultants, and business continuity professionals who'd like to ensure that their programs can hold up under the audit microscope. And the training is delivered in an exciting learn-by-doing, hands-on format that is as unique as it is effective.

First you choose a course - one based on the NFPA 1600 "Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs" or one based on British Standard 25999. 

During each stage of the training program, you'll use hypothetical case study company to gather information and make determinations about whether the program you are auditing conforms to the standard. Findings are compiled during each exercise. The final module of the training program covers reporting findings and recommendations. The final exercise is the compilation of findings and the presentation of recommendations to the class.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to audit a business continuity program based on the BS25999 or the NFPA 1600 standard. Completion of this course will prepare you to complete the Audit Examination for Certified Business Continuity Audit Professionals from DRI International.

The Certified Business Continuity Auditor (CBCA)* designation will set you apart. It will enhance your skills, knowledge, and abilities - all of which are transferable - and cultivate future career opportunities.

Call (866) 542-3744 for more information.

* In addition to taking the course and the exam, to apply for CBCA certification, you must demonstrate, with verifiable references, at least two years of practical experience in Emergency Management, Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity Management or Audit. This experience must have occurred within a ten-year period from your application date. To apply for Certified Business Continuity Lead Auditor (CBCLA) certification, you must possess at least five years of significant audit experience in addition to the requirements listed above.

Ever hear about how Buzz Lightyear almost got erased? Talk about infinity and beyond, huh? Well, I personally think it's one of the best BCP stories around and a great way to get people to make a personal connection with continuity. The less-than-three-minute video clip is Pixar cute (continuity cute??!!) and the tale involves lots of technology, a working mom, and an infant. I'll let you guess who saves the day, but I'll tell you that it's not Buzz!

Want to know about supply chain risks, the state of BC/DR globally, weaknesses inherent in current BC/DR plans, and how BC/DR professionals must evolve to be more effective in the face of new disasters? Then click here for an informative interview of DRI International President Al Berman conducted by Bank Info Security. You can listen to the interview online or opt to read the transcript.  

And just in case you don't know Al, he's a MBCP, a NFPA committee member, a member of the ASIS BCP technical committee, a member of the Committee of Experts for ANSI-ANAB, a former member of the NY City Partnership for Security and Risk Management, the co-chair for the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation committee to create the new standard for the U.S. Private Sector Preparedness Act (PS-Prep). Over a career that has spanned 25 years, he has served as a President and CIO for a major financial institution, National Practice Leader for Operational Resiliency for PricewaterhouseCoopers and Global Business Continuity practice leader for Marsh.

Last time around, our one-question survey asked about the most pressing issues facing business continuity professionals. You'll have to visit our LinkedIn discussion to find out the top vote getter (which was chosen by 47 percent of respondents!). Hint: it had nothing to do with technology, natural disasters, or supply chain. Until you get there, here's the number two response, with 29.4 percent: public image.

This week's survey question comes from a Drive reader who asked me to pose a simple question that I'm sure will evoke some pretty complex and interesting responses. The question is: How confident are you that your plans will actually work when you need them?   Good one! And it's especially good because it begs the question: How do you know for sure? So click here to answer (anonymously!) and please make liberal use of that comment box!

In the last issue of Drive, I warned you about the impending zombie apocalypse that had my teenage daughter terrified and kept a bunch of silly newscasters busy for a few slow news days. Well, I saw this on friend's Facebook page and thought I'd share. I'll post it on our DRI Facebook too, if you'd like to like it, share it, etc. Or you can just laugh!