Page 15 - Cyber Warnings

location-based technologies such as access control systems, Wi-Fi networks, travel
management solutions and mobile panic button applications.

This is especially important during an active shooter situation, for example. If an active shooter
was reported on an organization’s campus, it’s important for the organization to send correct
information to all its affected people, based on their location. If the active shooter was reported
on the east section of the campus, the targeted alert would want to tell employees and staff on
the east section of campus to shelter in place, while the alert may want to tell employees on the
west section of campus to get off the property. Alternatively, it would be important for the
organization to inform visitors and employees who were expected to be on the campus later that
day to stay away until police secure the area.

When managing this type of crisis, whether operational or emergency in nature, it’s important for
an organization to have the ability to easily identifying who can help, and how. Leveraging an
integrated critical event management system in which all information is centrally located allows
organizations to initiate instant communications that share relevant information and status
updates with not only key stakeholders, but emergency responders as well. When first
responders have better, more accurate information about who needs help and who’s safe
they’re able to take more direct, focused action that can help save lives and quickly end a
situation. There’s no confusion as to who should send out the communications, and no one is
waiting on important information that is essential to convey – everything is streamlined and pre-
determined, which is vital when every second counts.

The bottom line? The way current critical communications and incident management processes
are set up within organizations is inefficient, ineffective and – most importantly – can severely
impact employee safety and business operations. But, managing critical events can be like any
other major business function with a centralized crisis communications center and a
consolidated critical event management system—a process with clear lines of responsibility,
common situational understanding, accountability and visibility of performance. By removing the
hassle and confusion of overlapping tools and departments, organizations can create a single,
unified view of the threat assessment and resolution processes to keeping the organization safe
and productive during whatever incident may come its way.

About the Author

Imad Mouline is the Chief Technology Officer Everbridge. He is
responsible for market strategy, product roadmaps, and R&D. Mouline
joined Everbridge in 2011, when the company acquired CloudFloor,
where he was co-founder and CTO. Previously, Mouline served as CTO
in the web performance and financial services industries. Mouline
graduated from MIT, and holds four U.S. patents. Imad can be reached at
@ImadMouline and at our company website http://www.everbridge.com/.

15 Cyber Warnings E-Magazine – July 2017 Edition
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