NYS Forum Business Continuity Work Group Meeting

Date: Held : 9/16/2009 @ 2:00 PM
CGI offices, Corporate Woods, Albany
From: Mark Spreitzer

Discussion Topic

Attendance

State employees interested in a co-chair position please contact Mark Spreitzer or Greg Benson. mark.spreitzer@cgifederal.com.

Introductions

Agencies represented:
NYS ERDA - David Young
NYS DoS - Steve Conant
NYS DoS OFPC - Bill Lamb
NYS DHCCR - Davie Dietrich

Table go-around, with updates on BC-related activities

During introductions, attendees reported on business continuity and DR related activities at their agencies.

Dave Dietrich discussed working with SEMO to expand the IT/DR bunker. He also mentioned that his agency now has a formal disaster preparedness office.

Bull Lamb introduced himself as a new member from NYS Fire Prevention and Control. Bill is looking forward to discussions on records management to compliment his public safety experience.

David Young indicated that his organization has hired a new resource that will be taking on some of the responsibility for BC/DR functions.

NYS Forum BCP Training Initiative

Inquiry made if the agencies would be able to send resources to a three-day class on business continuity based on the DRII principles. Sponsorship levels indicate the agencies would need to pay approximately $500 per resource to attend the class. Current State budget conditions are a concern.

MOU Models discussion

David Young handed out a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) model that his organization uses to solidify the relationship. David discussed the following:

  • Setting authority within the MOU and discussing how to become a respectful neighbor during testing and DR at the partner site
  • Specify who, where, amount of space, installation requirements and what each organization funds.
  • Discuss operational costs tradeoffs and if unbalanced consider implications
  • Both parties need to understand site security and rules of behavior to avoid stress.
  • Assumption is that both organizations have a DR plan and he suggested a walkthrough of core plan functions during negotiation.
  • Specify normal hours of operation and expectations
  • Define bandwidth availability peaks and implications to minimize impact to operating environment during co-location
  • Discuss Insurance clauses, willful and intentional liability and mutual indemnification statements
  • Set terms for exit, nullification, and reexamining schedule

Action Items

Action Item
David Young provide template in electronic form for posting to NYS Forum website.
Rolling List of Possible Session Topics
  • Lessons Learning on implementing NY Alert, including an overview of NY Alert as a solution compliment to existing plans
  • Infrastructure recovery of DR and how virtualization can play a role in helping to reduce cost, offered as a panel discussion with a few vendors
  • How to manage workforces in a Pandemic
Owner
David Young
Mark Spreitzer
Due Date
N/A
 

Next Meeting: October 21

Additional Documents of Reference

Solano County California has posted several MOU examples, www.co.solano.ca.us