Access Control
& Security Systems

The Conference Board's (TCB) recent Corporate Security and Crisis Management Conference in New York City, sponsored by ASIS International, underscored the need for corporate leadership to devote time to security issues, work directly with their security chiefs, and have crisis-management plans in place before an incident happens.

One discussion concerned the art of crisis management and the need to be ready and prepared now for any crisis. Critical questions were addressed, such as what the firm's initial response should be; who should be involved in continuity planning; who should participate on emergency response teams; and who should speak on behalf of the company in a crisis.

Ron Pressman, chairman and CEO of GE Employers Reinsurance said there are four stages following a crisis of any kind: shock, paralysis, recovery and learning. He said that any crisis management plan needs to be practiced by all employees, not just security, and audited by an independent outsider.

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• On A Higher Plane
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