Knowledge is Security
The National Center for Crisis and Continuity Coordination (NC4) focuses on bridging the public-private sector gaps in two areas. First, by focusing on emergency and crisis management — directed at public-private sector emergency planning and response. Then, by strengthening business and economic continuity — bridging the gap between government and business to help minimize impact on the local economy.
Each case’s needs are specific, whether dealing with a company or a city, and each is handled on a case by case basis, using a “total lifecycle approach.” NC4 conducts research, formulates policy, strategy and plans, provides education and exercises, and offers operational solutions that enhance regional emergency and continuity management.
“We are working on both fronts. With technology, and with the policy and culture of sharing. We are really trying to get people to see and understand the value of sharing information in a secure environment,” says Jim Montagnino, NC4 general manager.
“NC4 is essentially an intermediary in all aspects from facilitation to technology,” says Montagnino. “We help prepare for, respond to and recover from an event or activity that would disrupt business.”
The organization works with several partners, including New York-based Capco, a global financial services consultant and technology solutions provider in continuity management. Serving as crisis management partners are: E Team Inc., Canoga Park, Calif., an emergency- and event-management software solutions provider that was enlisted at Ground Zero, and Borden/Lee, North Hills, Calif., a public-private sector emergency consulting firm.
Composed of Candle employees who were experienced in application integration and outside subject matter experts, such as those knowledgeable in emergency management and with backgrounds in fire and police work, NC4 has worked to establish a network of information, in what is hoped to become a “network of networks,” as Montagnino says. The organization arranges meetings with companies to share information and to establish suitable relationships to foster an environment in which everyone is communicating the vital details that are key in times of crisis and helpful in avoiding them.
“For example,” he says, “the Office of Emergency Management in New York, which monitors anything from a water main break to a hurricane, are members with us and use our software to track these. If something goes wrong, they press a button and can decide whether to share that with our network.”
In late October, NC4 ran a bi-coastal drill, examining how well information is passed. An event took place in New York during the test, alerting both the city and firms who subscribe to NC4’s network. Members in Los Angeles will then be informed that a similar event will take place there, and NC4 will monitor how people respond to information being shared.
Companies and city, county or state governments that work with NC4 gain access to a network of information that can be shared — or kept private — by a member by accessing their secure Web site.
“Of course, a company has information that it views as advantageous or disadvantageous. There are some things that companies do not want to share and should not. To make the nation a safer place, the information that they would provide doesn’t fall into either classification. They are sharing information about, in the event of an emergency, whether they’re evacuating or going to shelter in place and things along those lines,” Montagnino says. “Our members are the receivers and sources of information.”
