Swine Flu, what to do: Rx for enterprises

PUNE, INDIA: The spread of AH1N1 influenza (swine flu) should alert CXOs and IT response teams as much as it alerts doctors and medical response teams. That’s what analysts from leading research firms like Gartner are putting as the Rx now.

This week Gartner analysts suggest that key stakeholders should review audit pandemic response plans and ensure some high-priority response steps.

They should identify existing and projected critical skills shortages, initiate necessary cross-training, testing or certification of personnel and ensure that cross-trained personnel have the appropriate system/applications access rights.

In addition, it is needed to determine which business operations are sustainable, and at what level, and the likely downtime for normal business operations during periods with absenteeism rates of 40 per cent or higher. Immediately initiate rigorous, ongoing and well-documented testing to isolate and remediate identified problem areas. Also prepare for travel restrictions to be significant in the event of an epidemic and near-universal in the event of a pandemic.

“In today's global business environment, IT professionals must recognize extremely specific elements within their response plans that will overcome their enterprise's operational vulnerabilities which are not confined to the organization's specific geographic locations,” said Ken McGee, vice president and Gartner fellow.

“These vulnerabilities also exist in the next town, adjacent states, neighboring countries, or even on the other side of the planet, where their suppliers, customers, external professional service providers and so on are located.”

Implement a communications program that ensures that all personnel are aware of the enterprise’s pandemic response plans, as well as measures they can take to limit the spread of the disease - including practices as simple yet effective as regular hand-washing.

As it appears, when the flu strikes, it always pays to be an early bird