Planning & Management Nuggets

Convergence of Enterprise Security Organizations
According to a white paper from Booz Allen Hamilton, security practitioners need to shift from a ‘functional’ to a ‘business and lifecycle’ focus to deliver value to the enterprise.

The paper, which examines the impact of security convergence on global enterprises, also looks this trend within enterprises throughout the United States at the request of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) International. Booz Allen identifies several internal and external drivers that are forcing convergence to emerge, including:

Rapid expansion of the enterprise ecosystem
Value migration from physical to information-based and intangible assets
New protective technologies blurring functional boundaries
New compliance and regulatory regimes
Continuing pressure to reduce costs

www.boozallen.com/home/publications/article/1439866?lpid=386277

US Mobile User Survey
A new survey from Yankee Group offers valuable insight on US mobile consumers, including purchase drivers, brand loyalty, average spend on voice and data and customer satisfaction and loyalty.

www.yankeegroup.com/public/products/survey/survey_home_USMU.jsp

A Riskier Outlook for 2006?
Strategic Risk magazine’s outlook for UK businesses in 2006 shows while businesses continue to deal with traditional risks such as employers’ liability and directors’ and officers’ liability (exacerbated by factors such as a growing UK compensation culture or more litigious shareholders) new or re-emerging risks such as oil price volatility, pensions scheme legacies, terrorism, pandemics and climate change have all risen up the corporate agenda. Key points highlighted in the report include:

Storm damage topped the causes of insurance losses in 2005, with further increase in hurricane activity in the short term still expected
After the oil price surges of 2005, businesses need to recognize the historic volatility of the oil markets and plan for the prospect for sudden price falls as well as rises
The history of global pandemics shows why businesses need to bring threats such as avian flu higher up the company agenda
As the world learns to live with the new age of terrorism, the market for terrorism risk is maturing - premiums remain soft - but the need for cover is increasingly acknowledged by business
With two thirds of companies having no exit strategy in place for their defined benefit pension schemes, companies need to take action now.

www.strategicrisk.co.uk/MDArcharticle.asp?id=1322&a=1

AMA 2005 Crisis Management & Security Issues Survey
Crises that affect businesses come in many forms and often occur without notice. So, whether it is an accident, a scandal, a malicious act or a natural disaster, organizations recognize the need to be prepared. But according to the American Management Association’s latest survey, 40 percent of respondents say they do not have crisis management plans in place.