Where In the World Is DRI?  Malaysia and Singapore!

September was a busy month for DRI, with events in Malaysia and Singapore.

DRI KL2012 was presented by DRI Malaysia and MARIM on September 25-26, 2012 in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The theme was "Effective Risk Management & Business Continuity Management: Keys to Success."

The event features three conference tracks in BCM/DR, insurance, and information security management systems (ISMS).  DRI President Al Berman was the keynote speaker.  And according to DRI's Director of International Operations Chloe Demrovsky, "Throughout the conference, the question of how integrated these disciplines are and should be was a topic of much debate."

Also featured at the conference was the first-ever Outstanding Malaysian CBCP Award, which was presented at a Gala Dinner with an excellent Malaysian band and cuisine. The ceremony was a treat for all attendees, especially award winner Ong Ai Lin, CBCP, Senior Executive Director of PwC Malaysia.

Next, we were off to the DRI SG2012 Technical Forum presented by DRI Singapore, ISACA, and the Singapore Business Federation. This event was held  September 27,  2012 at the Swissotel Merchant Court in Singapore. The conference theme was "The State of the Art of Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery."

With the latest release of the ISO22301:2012 and related standards, 2012 update of DRI professional practices and the quest of information risk and cloud security control, the seminar brought in two global veteran organizations, DRI International and ISACA to give an update on each of the latest framework and approach that will benefit the continuous improvement to existing business continuity/ disaster recovery management systems.  Chloe said the highlight of the event for her was a "spirited panel discussion around ISO 22301."

Where is DRI now?  At the DRI Mexico ERM & BCM Conference, October 4-5!  More news on that next week!

Dream On: Is Your Job A Nightmare?

According to a Forbes report, surveys show that some 50 to 80 percent of us dream about work, with a significant portion admitting they often wake up in a cold sweat and experience work nightmares once or more a week!  And experts say that these seemingly silly occurrences could be telling us something. Read the full article for interpretations of the seven most common work anxiety dreams that are "nearly universal."

Here's one: "Late For Work: Usually in this dream you either can't get to work on time or are missing a deadline.  What It Means: This dream is a really good indication that you feel like you're missing out on an opportunity or what you really want in your career."

"Dreaming about work is incredibly common," says dream expert Lauri Quinn Loewenberg, author of Dream on It: Unlock Your Dreams, Change Your Life. "Work is the largest part of our waking life. It's also a big part of our identity."

"Recurring dreams and nightmares happen because your subconscious is trying to get your attention," says Layne Dalfen, founder of The Dream Interpretation Center in Montreal, Quebec. "You may not even realize what's bugging you."

Personally, my work nightmare is that I haven't done the laundry (again) and that all I've got to wear to work is Steven Tyler's outfit in this "Dream On" video.  But then again, I guess I'd rather dress like a rock star than Laurie from the Partridge Family, or (total nightmare!)  Marcia in her Silver Platters ensemble.

C'Mon Get App-y!  

Cool New Red Cross App Really Rocks!

You've got to check out the newest free app from the American Red Cross!  It's so cool, but beyond being cool, it's useful and packed with information and instruction.  These days, the Red Cross is getting big points in my book for being innovative and on point when it comes to social media (see last week's Drive piece on Social Media Saves).  I don't think I'd have guessed that just a couple of years ago, but then again, I probably would have laughed if you told me I'd reference the Partridge Family in a headline.  

So, the app.  Here's what the Red Cross has to say: "The official American Red Cross First Aid app puts expert advice for everyday emergencies in your hand. Available for iPhone and Android devices, the official American Red Cross First Aid app gives you instant access to the information you need to know to handle the most common first aid emergencies. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice it's never been easier to know first aid."

I say, it's really neat.  Simple step-by-step instructions guide you through everyday first aid scenarios. It's fully-integrated with 911 so you can call EMS from the app at any time. Videos and animations make learning first aid fun and easy. Safety tips for everything, from severe winter weather to hurricanes, earthquakes and tornadoes help you prepare for emergencies. Preloaded content means you have instant access to all safety information at any time, even without reception or an Internet connection.

And best of all, interactive quizzes allow you to earn badges when you've learned a skill.  What a great - and free! - way to train your staff!

Apocalypse How?   

Singaporeans Expect Catastrophe!

 

Global catastrophe within the next two decades is expected by two-thirds of Singaporeans, a recent survey shows.  The survey was reported on by Singapore's The New Paper (click here for the full article).

An online survey by IdStats Research & Consultancy for National Geographic Channel reveals that out of the 522 Singaporeans polled, nearly two-thirds believed that a the next 20 years will see a global catastrophe and that it will be caused by a financial meltdown or an epidemic.

However, more than six in 10 Americans believed that either a significant earthquake or hurricane would be responsible for a global catastrophe.  

The New Paper quotes Sociologist Tan Ern Ser saying his view is that Singaporeans "do not have in mind the end of the world, but rather a serious catastrophe."  He also said a possible reason behind Singaporeans actually believing that such a catastrophe would happen, despite the numerous false predictions in the past, is the fact that Singapore is vulnerable to, and has experienced, economic shocks and pandemics in the past.

As for me, I suspect that if the world comes to a screeching halt, it'll be because this recent ABC News report proves true:  Diaper Shortage Possible After Plant Explosion.  As Robirda would say (in my voice), "Oh, crap!" 

DHS Counterterror Centers "a Bunch of Crap"???

 

Well, since we've gone and gotten scatological in this issue, it seemed logical to bring you this report from Wired that says "The Senate's bipartisan Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations found no evidence that DHS' 70-plus fusion centers - places where state, local and federal law enforcement analyze and share information - uncovered a single terrorist threat between April 1, 2009 and April 30, 2010."

"Nor," the Senate panel writes in its just-released report, analyzing more than 80,000 fusion center documents, "could [the inquiry] identify a contribution such fusion center reporting made to disrupt an active terrorist plot." Unnamed DHS officials told the panel the fusion centers produce "predominantly useless information" and "a bunch of crap." An internal 2010 assessment, which DHS did not share with Congress, found that a third of all fusion centers don't have defined procedures for sharing intelligence - "one of the prime reasons for their existence." At least four fusion centers identified by DHS "do not exist," the Senate found.

A Free Pass to DRI2013!

 

We're giving away one free pass to DRI2013 at the NEDRIX conference to be held October 22-24, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency in Newport, RI.  NEDRIX (Northeast Disaster Recovery Information X-Change) is a non-profit organization, formed in 1991, that provides continuity and crisis management professionals access to real time governmental agencies information during a crisis or event.  

Visit the DRI International booth at the NEDRIX event and enter for a chance to win a free pass to DRI2013, June4-7, 2013, in Philadelphia, PA.