Recent Events

Invitation Issued to Participate in Forums on Business Preparedness Certification Program & Market Incentives

September 22, 2007 12:03 AM

"The new voluntary business preparedness certification program called for by recent U.S. legislation offers a unique opportunity to link business preparedness efforts with real bottom-line benefits and incentives. It also represents an opportunity to forward a competitive edge in corporate resilience according" to Bill Raisch, Director, of the International Center for Enterprise Preparedness- InterCEP at NYU.

The International Center for Enterprise Preparedness (InterCEP) is hosting several forums (integrating conference calls and online discussions) on key issues involved in assuring that this new certification program delivers real value to business with a particular focus on achieving bottom-line incentives and advancing resiliency.

Each session will include an introductory overview on the new law and prospective elements of the voluntary certification program followed by discussion by key stakeholders and Q&A on the chosen topic.

We invite you to join in these forums and provide input into the development of this new program to assure that it is of greatest value to business. Proceedings of these forums will be provided to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and will form the foundation for ongoing advisory efforts by InterCEP.

Join us by registering below. There is no charge for participation.

Learning from Existing Voluntary Certification Programs in Quality and Environmental Management

Some businesses have current management systems programs in quality management and/or environmental management. What can be learned from these experiences in voluntary certification? Also for corporations with current programs in these areas, are there opportunities and efficiencies to be achieved through integration with the new preparedness certification?

Date: Thursday, September 27, 2007
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
Register https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/956313605

The Rating Agency Perspective on Assessing Business Preparedness

Rating agencies are primarily focused on factors which contribute to credit defaults or business failures. Are there rating agency considerations worthwhile incorporating into this new certification program which are of either immediate or long-term value?

Date: Friday, September 28, 2007
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
This is a limited group discussion. Contact InterCEP by email if you are interested in attending. Attendance is limited. http://www.nyu.edu/intercep/contact/

Supply Chain Management and Assessing Supplier Resiliency

There is an increasing focus on supply chain resiliency and the preparedness of critical suppliers. Some firms are noting significant time spent on interfacing with multiple customers assuring each of the business' preparedness status. Can this voluntary certification program provide a commonly accepted verification of preparedness and thereby avoid multiple customer queries? What considerations would the supply chain management community optimally see incorporated into this program?

Date: Monday, October 1, 2007
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
Register https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/540584593


Can Corporate Governance & Social Responsibility Initiatives be Advanced through a Voluntary Certification Program?

In an increasingly risky business environment, risk management is a growing concern among boards of directors and executive management. How can this voluntary certification program be structured to address these concerns?

Date: Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
Register https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/446983489

Incorporating Insurance Company Input into the New Certification Program

The insurance industry on the whole acknowledges the value of business preparedness and recognizes its ability to minimize losses to both the individual business and the insurance company. Risk evaluation and underwriting processes of individual insurance firms vary, however. This can lead to confusion among businesses as to what is valued by insurance companies in terms of preparedness or a sense that preparedness efforts are not considered at all by insurance companies. A voluntary certification program that is both representative of best preparedness practices and incorporates the perspective and needs of insurance companies could facilitate a clearer acknowledgement of business preparedness by insurance companies. It could also begin to build a historical record that over time could inform a closer understanding of what preparedness measures best minimize future insurance claims. This session will seek to identify these and other issues and insights related to insurance and certification from both the perspective of the insurance company and the businesses that it insures.

Date: Thursday, October 4, 2007
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
Registerhttps://www.gotomeeting.com/register/555980447

Minimizing Legal Liability Through a Preparedness Certification Program

Negligence tort and other legal liability can be a major exposure for companies of all sizes in the aftermath of an emergency. When another party is impacted by the event, it is often argued that the company did not do enough to prepare for emergencies. Yet, it can be difficult to ascertain how much preparedness is enough given the diversity of risks that face a company. Advance and documented compliance with an established industry standard for preparedness can serve as an affirmative defense to liability claims after an emergency. The new preparedness certification program will be centered on voluntary compliance with one or more industry standards. This session will discuss how the certification program can best be structured to minimize legal liability of the company.

Date: Wednesday, October 5, 2007
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
Register https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/515463668

Incorporating the Perspective of Key Vertical Industries into the New Preparedness Certification Program: The Financial Services Sector as a Case in Point

Some business sectors have a long history in preparedness activities and robust programs in place. The financial services sector is one. The new law specifically calls for existing industry efforts, standards, practices and reporting in the area of preparedness not be duplicated or displaced but rather recognized and integrated. The legislation requires that the new voluntary certification program consider the unique nature of various sectors within the private sector, including current preparedness standards, business continuity standards and best practices as well as existing initiatives by other federal agencies. The legislation specifically calls for existing certification and related efforts be acknowledged and given credit in the process to avoid duplication. This session will discuss issues and inputs of the financial services sector. Issues to be addressed include how the new program may of value in addressing critical supplier dependencies of financial services firms outside of the financial services sector.

Date: Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
Register https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/684217713

Special Considerations for Small & Medium Sized Business in the New Preparedness Certification Program

Small businesses make up the vast majority of the U.S. economy. Even though voluntary, the new certification program must be economically and operationally achievable for small business for it to be of any true value to them. The establishing legislation acknowledges small business concerns and calls for the new program to establish separate classifications and methods of certification for small business concerns as appropriate. These and other issues and input from the small business community will be identified and discussed at this session.

Date: Thursday, October 18, 2007
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
Register https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/569586575

Potential TRIA Considerations and the New Voluntary Preparedness Certification Program

This session will address potential considerations related to the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) from both the perspective of business risk managers and the insurance industry.

Date: Friday, October 19, 2007
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
Register https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/368120877

Integrating Voluntary Preparedness Certification with other Business Reporting Requirements: Issues and Opportunities

Based on the functions of a business, its vertical industry and public or private ownership, there are a variety of reporting requirements that businesses have to shareholders, customers, partners, the government and others. How should the new voluntary certification program fit into existing reporting activity so as to avoid duplication and excess effort. Are there opportunities to use the new program to consolidate distinct and perhaps divergent reporting requirements into a single more unified effort?

Date: Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
Register https://www.gotomeeting.com/register/617404262