Response, Prevention Computers & Data

DISASTER RESPONSE AND PREVENTION FOR COMPUTERS AND DATA
by Miriam Kahn

"The purpose of this publication is to provide basic information for responding to
a
disaster involving water damaged computers, hardware and software. Information about
recovering the paper materials affected by a disaster is available in "First Steps for Handling
& Drying Water Damaged Materials."

"This manual is divided into three sections; disaster prevention, response
procedures, and planning. Section one, Prevention, is the key for a successful recovery of
water damaged computers and software. This section includes sample disaster prevention
procedures, charts for phone numbers for members of the team, and selected lists of
companies that provide services and products. Section Two, Response Procedures,
contains illustrated instructions for stabilizing and/or recovering water damaged hardware
and software. Use this section for training before the disaster, or for task allocation during
the
disaster. Section Three, Planning, is designed to help develop disaster response
procedures
for your institution or information center. Checklists guide the planning and decision making
process.

"Disaster Response and Prevention for Computers and Data does not include
recovery of lost data or procedures for getting the data retrieval aspects of the information
center up and running. For this information see the list of Contingency Planning & Response
Companies (p13) and the additional reading list located at the end of the manual.

"Recovery of water damaged software and electronic/magnetic formats is a
relatively new area of disaster response and recovery. The information contained in this
manual was gleaned from MIS, computer, records management, and library literature.
Extensive bibliographies on disaster prevention, response and planning exist elsewhere. A
selected list of additional reading is located at the end of the manual. The selections provide
an introduction to the field."

- - - From the Introduction to Disaster Response and Prevention for Computers
and Data

============================================

CONTENTS:

Introduction
Sample Emergency Response Procedures
Emergency Numbers

SECTION ONE: PREVENTION

Controlled Shutdown
Prevent electrical damage
Maps and directions
Floor plans
Layout of computer system
Disaster Recovery Companies
Contingency Planning and Response Companies
Suppliers
Basic Supplies

SECTION TWO: RESPONSE PROCEDURES

Protect components
Water damaged 3.5", diskettes
Water damaged 5.25" diskettes
Water damaged open-reel tape
Water damaged cartridges and cassettes
Water damaged CD-ROM and optical discs
Water damaged Hardware & Equipment

SECTION THREE: PLANNING

Order of contingency planning
Disaster response team
Responsibilities checklist
Communications
Utilities checklist
Insurance
Insurance terminology
Vital & permanent records checklist
Basic financial records checklist
Back up routines
Software information checklist
Software & on-line services access checklist
Computer backup information checklist
Hardware checklist
Storage facilities
Storage facilities checklist
Recovery decisions & priorities
Paper records recovery decision checklist
Coated paper recovery decision checklist
Books & bound materials recovery decision checklist
Microforms recovery decision checklist
Software and data recovery decision checklist
Computer equipment recovery decision checklist
Telecommunications
Client / resource checklist

Additional Reading


1994, 69 pages Order #DR-170 $52.50

4 Arapaho Rd.

Brookfield, CT 06804-3104 USA

1-888-ROTHSTEin; (888.768.4783)

Telephone: 203.740.7444; 888.768.4783

Fax: 203.740.7401

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