b'Emergency Preparedness Continued from page 6 8.Make sure your co-workers know w to do if your computer system hat becomes infected.Train employees on how tovirus protection software,w updateho to download security patches from software vendors, and h create ow to properasswoap rd. Designate ato contact for more in rmation ifrea personfo the isproblem. 9.Subscribe toDepartment of Ho nd Security National Cyber A rt themela leSystem, to receive free, timely alerts on new threats and learn how lo better protect yourof cyberspace. area US-CERT is atnershiptween OHS and the public and private par beprote theternet sectors. It was established toctNation\'s In infrastructure through coor defense against andresponses to cyber dinated attacks. Q.How can I prepare my small business for a disaster? A.As all business ownershould develop apreparedness sma youdisasterWhen in doubt, delete the file and the attachment, and then emptyplan. It\'s just as importantdeveloping aplan.a disasbusinessHaving your computer\'s deleted items file.aster plan in place w lthe difference between being shut down for il make ard-to-guessfew 3.Use h passwords.adays, and losing your livelihood. Passwords should have at least 8with a m ure of upper Meet with an insurance agent who understands the needs of your charactersixtcase and lowercase letters as wellnumbers.business.Business-interruptioninsurance-whichreplacesincome asChange passwords freq lost when adowntime becomes of aperiluently.business sufferscoveredDo not give your password to anyone.shouldbea consideration.N hazardinsurancedoesn\'t cover ormal 4.Protect your computer from Internet intruders by using firewalls.floods, so make sure you have the right kind of ins Make urance.sur~ yourThere are two forms of firewalls: software firewalls that run onyou know what your insurance does not cover.j person computer, and hardware firewallsprotect computer net As the b owner, you should ask yourself the following althatusinessquesworks, or groups of computers.tions: Am Ito relocate temporarily? What wou happen if my preparedld Firewallskeepoutunwantedordangeroustrafficwhileallowingsuppliers shut down? Do my employees know what to do inof an case acceptable data to reach your computer.emergency? D share access to your computers withEmployees shouldwh all the emergency exits are located. A on\'tstrangers.knowere Check your computer operating system to see if ii allows others tosafety coordinator could be appointed-someone who willrespontake access your hard-drive. Hard-drive access canup your com sibility for making sure all theextinguishersing safety openfirework, plannputer to infection.drills,evacuation plans. developing Unless you really need the ability to share files, your best bet is to doVital business records-information stored on papercomputer, and away with it.shouldbecopiedand savedonboth theharddiveonbackandup 5.Back up your computer data. Many computer users have either alreadydiskettes at an offsite location at least 50 miles away frombusithe main experienced the pain of losing valuable computer data or will at someness site. thealso"recovery communicapoint infuture. Back up your data regularly and consider keeping oneYour business shouldhave ations" plan version off-site.in place. Key employees can be assigned as spokespersons who will 6.Regularlydownloadsecurityprotectionupdates knownaspatches.contact suppliers, c , other employees, customers,m ia reditors ed and Patches a released by most major software compan to cover uputility companies to get the word out that the b iness is still viable. reiesussecurity holes that may develop in their programs.Also, that spokespersoncankeep thepublicinformedof rebuildingRegularlydownload andinstallthe patchesyourself, or check fore orts, ifssary. ff neceautomated patching features that do the work forFinally, an site for all employers to visit for the latest you.recomme ded regularin m onemer n plann is:http: //www.ready.gov/amer7.Check your security on abasis. for ationge cyingWhen you change your clocks for Daylight Saving T evaluateica/publ ications/al pubs. ime,Ihtml your computer security. Theand operating systemyourT is no failsafepreparing for an emergency, but programsonheremethod ofadvance computer have security settings that you can adjust.planning is your best way to secure the safety of your emplo , and the yeesDo you have multiple door locks and asecurity system atfutu of your business. high-techre your office? II could be that tighter security for your computer system is also what you need.'