Because Greater Washington is the home to the federal government, the implications for business disruptions are significant.  The Greater Washington Board of Trade is advancing emergency preparedness and business continuity efforts in the region by addressing critical issues like the potential for an H1N1 virus outbreak or the growing threat of a cybersecurity attack.

The Board of Trade is working to improve the region’s preparedness by developing programs and policies that integrate the private sector into regional emergency response planning.  In addition, we are increasing awareness of business continuity issues; educating business leaders on our region’s pressing issues; and improving public-private partnerships between government, nonprofit and business leaders.  Through its emergency preparedness and business continuity efforts, the Board of Trade continues to:

• Educate organizations on the necessity of being prepared in the event of an emergency
• Examine common weaknesses in business continuity plans and ensuring that businesses can communicate with their workforces during the event
• Bring the private sector and regional governments together to plan how to work together in the event of an emergency
• Advocate for better emergency preparedness and business continuity policy.

H1N1 Preparedness

The Board of Trade has assembled an H1N1 Task Force to create valuable, practical guidance for preparing regional businesses for the business implications of an H1N1 virus outbreak. This spring, as the first strain of the flu intensified, the Board of Trade created a comprehensive H1N1 information page for regional businesses and issued Business Guidelines for the H1N1 Virus to help address the growing concern.

On September 29, the Board of Trade hosted Swine Flu: Assessing the Impli­cations for Your Business to prepare the business community. Repre­sentatives from the US Department of Health and Human Services and the US Department of Homeland Security addressed the federal government’s preparations for the virus. Regional H1N1 preparedness leaders from the public and private sector offered practical business advice including: 

• Reducing exposure at work by implementing generous sick leave policies and reducing face to face meetings
• Developing contingency plans and a dedicated H1N1 task force
• Collecting employee contact information and communicating relevant business procedures
• Checking for insurance coverage that may help cover costs associated with an H1N1 business interruption.

Cybersecurity

Because the Greater Washington region is home to the federal government, the World Bank, numerous company headquarters and other high-target establishments, the Board of Trade is proactively addressing the cybersecurity threat in our area.  We raise awareness of cybersecurity threats within the business community and monitor issues with public and private sector leaders, including the FBI, DC government, Accenture, Pepco Holdings and James Lee Witt Associates.