Course Title:
Business Continuity: Disaster Recovery Planning and Response | |
Required Texts and Readings:
- (ANAO) Australian National Audit Office. (2000). Business continuity management - keeping the wheels in motion. Available from: http://www.anao.gov.au/director/publications/betterpracguides.cfm . It is on the 3rd page of the website and the only practice guide from 2000.
- (NRP) U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2004). National response plan. Downloadable PDF from http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/NRPbaseplan.pdf for the base plan and appendices. The full version, including the annexes on Emergency Support Functions, Support, and Incidents, is downloadable from http://www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/nspd/hspd-7.html http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/NRP_FullText.pdf. The base plan and appendices PDF is also in the class Webliography.
- Sheffi, Y. (2005). The resilient enterprise: Overcoming vulnerability for competitive advantage. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press. ISBN 0-262-19537-2.
An optional text for this course is:
- McCrackan, A. (2005). Practical guide to business continuity assurance. Boston, MA: Artech House. ISBN 1-58053-927-0.
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Supplementary Readings:
The standard for papers in the graduate program is the APA style. All participants in this course and all graduate ITEC, HSMN, INFA, TMAN, SWEN, UCSP, INSS, MGMT, PUAD, and ECON courses should have a copy of the style guide:
American Psychological Association. (2001). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th edi.). Washington DC: Author.
All graduate students should be prepared to utilize theUMUC online library. The library contains a large number of full text academic journals that are free of charge and immediately available. The library homepage also contains a number of links related to improving students' research and writing skills. | |
Recommended Journals:
The following is a sampling of periodicals -- both academic and popular -- suggested (not required) as resources. Some are available through the University System of Maryland libraries, some directly over the Web. Many are available in the full-text databases you can access from the UMUC Library Web page. They will provide you with current information regarding developments in emergency and crisis management practices.
Another important work is the following:
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). (2004). NFPA 1600 standard on disaster/emergency management and business continuity programs. Quincy, MA: Author. The NFPA website is http://www.nfpa.org/Home/index.asp.
Publications of the various professional societies (such as ACM -- the Association for Computing Machinery, the IEEE Computing Society, and the various management professional societies) are strongly recommended. In addition, there are many trade journals (such as eWEEK) that IT professionals should become familiar with, many of these being published both weekly and on-line. | |
Course Description:
| An in-depth examination of managerial and technical strategies for maintaining enterprise resiliency in the face of man-made or natural disruptions to business operations. The course emphasizes the importance of advanced planning and explores techniques for performing business risk assessment and potential incident impact analysis. Alternative models for supporting contingency operations, including the use of Service Level Agreements, are discussed. Key activities and processes involved in post-event business resumption, including the recovery of key information assets, are reviewed. Various formal Business Continuity standards such as ISO 17799 are also introduced. Actual and hypothetical cases are analyzed to reinforce course concepts. | |
Course Goals:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should understand and be able to apply knowledge concerning:
- Man-made and natural threats to enterprises and communities.
- Activities and strategies for risk assessment, management, and mitigation.
- Activities and strategies for emergency management and business continuity.
- Creation and communication of business continuity plans.
- Current and emerging issues and trends in business continuity planning and disaster recovery.
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Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion, the student should be able to:
- Identify the critical resources that are key factors for continuity
- Establish risk profiles in terms of potential threats arising from man-made or natural causes as well as vulnerabilities beyond an organization’s direct control
- Evaluate alternative risk mitigation, response, and disaster recovery strategies.
- Describe major industry and government standards that relate to business continuity
- Utilize a continuity checklist to assess an organization’s disaster readiness
- Develop plans and sub-plans for emergency or crisis management
- Assess an overall emergency or crisis program
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Grading Information:
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Final grades will be calculated as follows:
20% - Mid-term Examination
20% - Final Examination
10% - Individual Assignment
20% - Research Paper
20% - Study Group Project
10% - Participation
According to the Graduate School grading policy, the following symbols and scale are used:
90 - 100 = A = excellent
80 - 89 =B = good
70 - 79 = C = passing
< 70 = F = failure
The grade of "B" represents the benchmark for the Graduate School. It indicates the student has demonstrated competency in the subject matter of the course, i.e., has fulfilled all course requirements on time, has a clear grasp of the full range of course materials and concepts, and is able to present and apply these materials and concepts in clear, reasoned, well-organized and grammatically correct responses, whether written or oral.
Only students who fully meet this standard and, in addition, who demonstrate exceptional comprehension and application of the course subject matter, merit an "A."
Students who do not meet the benchmark standard of competency fall within the "C" range or lower. They, in effect, have not met graduate level standards. Where this failure is substantial, they earn an "F." | |
Course Requirements:
Examinations. There will be a mid-term and a final examination. The questions will be designed to give you an opportunity to demonstrate not only how well you have assimilated the content, but also how well you can apply the concepts. The mid-term and final examination will each account for 20% of your total grade.
Individual Assignment. The specifications for the individual assignment will be distributed in session 2.
Research paper. A list of topics will be presented in session 2. The topic can either be chosen from the list or a different topic can be proposed for approval of the instructor. The formal thesis is due for session 6 and is subject to instructor's approval.
Study Group Project. Groups will be set up and requirements will be distributed in session 5. Grading will be on individual performance only, but this includes evaluations by other members of the group.
Participation. Throughout the semester you will be expected to participate meaningfully by engaging in class or online discussions. Such participation will account for 10% of your total grade. | |
Description of Course Requirements:
STATEMENT ON WRITING REQUIREMENTS:
Effective managers and leaders are also effective communicators. Written communication is an important element of the total communication process. The Graduate School recognizes and expects exemplary writing to be the norm for course work. To this end, all analyses and papers must demonstrate graduate level writing ability and comply with the format requirements of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. All writing assignments will be graded on the basis of content, logic, analysis, mechanics, organization, and research. Careful attention should be given to source citations, proper listing of references, the use of footnotes, and the presentation of tables and graphs. Work submitted online should follow standard procedures for formatting and citation.
POLICY ON ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
Academic integrity is central to the learning and teaching process. Students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that will contribute to the maintenance of academic integrity by making all reasonable efforts to prevent the occurrence of academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty includes (but is not limited to) obtaining or giving aid on an examination, having unauthorized prior knowledge of an examination, doing work for another student, and plagiarism of all types.
PLAGIARISM:
Plagiarism is the intentional or unintentional presentation of another person's idea or product as one's own. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to the following: copying verbatim all or part of another's written work; using phrases, charts, figures, illustrations, or mathematical or scientific solutions without citing the source; paraphrasing ideas, conclusions, or research without citing the source; and using all or part of a literary plot, poem, film, musical score, or other artistic product without attributing the work to its creator. Students can avoid unintentional plagiarism by following carefully accepted scholarly practices. Notes taken for papers and research projects should accurately record sources of material to be cited, quoted, paraphrased, or summarized, and papers should acknowledge these sources in footnotes. The penalties for plagiarism include a zero or a grade of F on the work in question, a grade of F in the course, suspension with a file letter, suspension with a transcript notation, or expulsion.
Resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC, UMUC-Europe or BSU), partially or in its entirety, is not acceptable in this course and will result in an automatic failure on the assignment.
DISABLED STUDENTS:
Students with disabilities should contact the Director of Student Services, phone: +49-6221-378299, email: edstudent_svc@ed.umuc.edu, mailing address: Unit 29216. APO AE 09102 or Im Bosseldorn 30, D-69126 Heidelberg, Germany.
COURSE EVALUATIONS:
Feedback on each graduate course and instructor is important to the university, your professor, and to all UMUC students. UMUC has the responsibility to assess the effectiveness of classroom instruction, and each student has the responsibility to provide accurate and timely feedback through completion of the course evaluation form. This is a shared obligation for us all. It is therefore important that you complete the evaluation form for each course you attend. This should be viewed as an additional course and program requirement. | |
Course Schedule:
Session 1: Introduction to Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
- The many facets, disciplines, and plans for managing emergencies and crises
- Resources and references
Textbook Readings
- ANAO, Part 1 (Continuity and Risk Concepts)
Session 2: Threats and Vulnerabilities
- Defining critical infrastructures and organizational missions
- Threat profiles
- Identifying vulnerabilities
Session 3: Evaluating Risks and Impacts
- Risk analysis
- Business impact assessment
Textbook Readings
- Sheffi, Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 4
Session 4: Prevention: Mitigation of Risks
- Mitigation to reduce vulnerability
Textbook Readings
- Sheffi, Chapters 5, 6, and 7
Assignments
- Individual Project: The project is due.
- Research Paper: You should have selected your topic by now and should be formulating your thesis statement and your research methodology (defining which scholarly sources you are going to use).
Session 5: Preparedness and Contingency Planning
- Planning
- Training and awareness
- Testing and exercises
- Preparation of resources
Textbook Readings
- ANAO, Part 2 (The Business Continuity Process)
Assignments
- Research Paper: Refine your thesis statement and a description of your research methodology. Begin selecting a few scholarly sources.
- Study Group: Find out which study group you are assigned to and the topic for your group. Hold a preliminary discussion with members of your group.
Session 6: When an Incident Occurs
- Detecting incidents and disaster declarations
- Responses to incidents
Textbook Readings
- Sheffi, Chapter 9
- National Response Plan, Chapter V and Appendix 5
Research Paper (see below). Assignments
- Research Paper: Write a description of your topic as a well-formulated thesis statement and a description of your research methodology; name at least 2 bibliographic resources you intend to use.
- Study Group: Continue working on the assigned project.
Session 7: Mid-Term Exam
Session 8: Organizational Considerations
- Emergency Operations Center
- Incident Command (Management) Systems
- Collaboration and coordination with others
Textbook Readings
Assignments
- Study Group: Continue working on the assigned project.
Session 9: Communications
- Communications systems and warning systems
- Communicating to stakeholders and the public
Textbook Readings
Sheffi, Chapter 14
Assignments
- Study Group: The project should be entering its final phases.
- Research Paper: You should be completing your research and writing a first draft of your paper.
Session 10: Recovery
- Community recovery
- Business recovery
Textbook Readings
Assignments
- Study Group: Finalize the Study Group project. Each member must submit a copy to the Assignments Folder by Tuesday night.
- Research Paper: You should be completing your research and continuing drafting your paper.
Session 11: Study Group Presentations
- Presentations of Study Group projects
Assignments
- Research Paper: You should have a solid and nearly complete draft of your research paper. You may submit it if you would like the instructor to review it.
Session 12: Strategies for Resiliency (1)
Textbook Readings
- Sheffi, Chapters 10, 11, 12, and 13
Assignments
Session 13: Strategies for Resiliency (2)
- Enterprise programs
- Cultural considerations
- Private-public considerations
Textbook Readings
- Sheffi, Chapters 15 and 16
Session 14: Final Exam
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Academic Policies:
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| The University has a license agreement with Turnitin.com, a service that helps prevent plagiarism from internet resources. I may be using this service in this class by either requiring students to submit their papers electronically to Turnitin.com or by submitting questionable text on behalf of a student. If you or I submit part or all of your paper, it will be stored by Turnitin.com in their database throughout the term of the University's contract with Turnitin.com. If you object to this temporary storage of your paper, you must let me know no later than two weeks after the start of this class. Please Note: If you object to the storage of your paper on Turnitin.com, I may utilize other services to check your work for plagiarism.
The official university policy on Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty can be found at http://www.umuc.edu/policy/aa15025.shtml. Section I.C. states: "Faculty may determine if the resubmission of course work from previous classes (whether or not taken at UMUC), partially or in its entirety, is acceptable when assigning a grade on that piece of course work. Faculty must provide this information in their written syllabi. If the resubmission of course work is deemed to be unacceptable, a charge may not be brought under this Policy and will be handled as indicated in the written syllabi."
Please refer to Description of Course Requirements for specific information on how resubmissions will be treated in this course.
Students with disabilities should contact the appropriate support office at UMUC-Europe.
Jan Keller, Director of Student Services
UMUC-Europe, Heidelberg
Phone: +49-6221-378299
Email: edstudent_svc@ed.umuc.edu
Mailing Address: Unit 29216, APO AE 09102 OR Im Bosseldorn 30, D-69126 Heidelberg, Germany
Please refer to the UMUC-Europe Graduate Catalog for information on the following:
Academic Integrity
Course Load
Exception to Policy
Grade Appeal Process
Make-up Examinations
Nondiscrimination
Code of Civility
Hard copies of the catalog are available at your local Education Center. | |
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