Questions and Answers with: Randall Nason

04.18.2007
The Oklahoman
by Paula Burkes Erickson, Business Writer

Randall Nason, Today's Q&A is with the manager of the security consulting group with C.H. Guernsey & Co. in Oklahoma City.

Q: What can employers learn from Monday's events at Virginia Tech?

A: Unfortunately, this reminds us that the unthinkable happens. Organizations of all sizes need to think through the types of incidents that might occur and what the appropriate response would be to guard the safety of their staff and clients. The impetus for this kind of effort would also include the impact an incident would have on the viability of the organization. Each needs to analyze potential threats, develop a response plan, train managers to the plan and then be able to execute it. As we have just seen, disasters can occur without warning and can come from unexpected quarters.

Q: What kind of technology is available to help prevent tragedies such as Monday's?

A: Thinking through what the staff and students at Virginia Tech just went through, you see the need to quickly communicate to a large number of people distributed across a large geographic area. Sirens, such as those we use for tornadoes, can be used to issue alerts, but the ability to communicate specific information is severely limited. Mass e-mails and mass cell messages that cross all wireless carriers are emerging as viable technologies. It is also important that organizations have the ability to quickly and remotely lock down their facilities and observe site activities through a robust closed-circuit television system.

Q: Is rapid communication to the affected population sufficient to address catastrophes like Monday's events?

A: The ability to rapidly communicate to the affected population is important. However, it is crucial that the organization have a clear message to communicate that will result in safeguarding the health and safety of their staff, clients and visitors. Again, the plan needs to be in place with a clear strategy that can be clearly communicated in a crisis situation.

Q: I understand C.H. Guernsey & Co. has consulted on security-related issues worldwide. Who are some of your clients?

A: Locally we have worked for Oklahoma County, the Metropolitan Library System, OSBI and the Norman Regional Hospital System. Nationally, we are currently working for New York University as well as number of federal agencies including the Department of Homeland Security. We recently completed a crisis management plan template for electric utilities and are currently working on a similar document addressing cyber security issues.

Business Writer Paula Burkes Erickson