Critical Thinking Activity: Module 10

Question 1

Module 10 Closing Scenario
Susan pulled out her laptop and inserted the USB stick with all of HAL’s IR, DR, and BC plans. She quickly pulled up her master planning document, selected the continuity plan, clicked option A, and began to read. She then pondered her next action.

1. What do you think Susan’s next action should be if her plan is like the recommendations in this module?

Answer 1

If Susan’s plan is like the recommendations in this module, her next action should be to follow the plan and execute the continuity plan according to the chosen option. She should prioritize communicating with the appropriate personnel and initiating the plan’s activation as soon as possible.

Question 2

2. What are the priorities for Susan in the next 30 minutes?

Answer 2

Susan’s priorities in the next 30 minutes should be to communicate with the appropriate personnel and start implementing the continuity plan. This would involve notifying the emergency response team, initiating the communication cascade to relevant stakeholders, and setting up an incident command center.

Question 3

Ethical Decision Making
1. Part of Susan’s responsibilities is to notify a number of company leaders. One of them, shown near the end of the priority list, is a good friend who may have been in the office at the time of the fire. Susan chooses to call her friend first to make sure she’s OK before starting at the top of the priority list. “It’ll only take a minute,” she thinks. How could this choice go wrong?

Answer 3

Susan’s decision to call her friend first could go wrong in several ways. First, it could delay the implementation of the continuity plan and potentially lead to more severe consequences. Second, it could be perceived as favoritism towards her friend and lead to questions about her impartiality and professionalism. Finally, it could compromise the confidentiality of the priority list and potentially harm the effectiveness of the company’s emergency response.

Question 4

Ethical Decision Making
2. Suppose that one of HAL’s contractors was issued a copy of the company alert roster. Suppose further that the contractor has family members who sell recovery services, and the contractor passed them a copy of the roster with all personal contacts and critical skills listed. Is this an ethical action by the contractor? Why or why not?

Answer 4

The contractor’s action of sharing the company alert roster with family members who sell recovery services is unethical. It violates the trust and confidentiality placed in the contractor by HAL and could lead to the compromise of sensitive information. It also creates a potential conflict of interest for the contractor, who may prioritize their family’s business interests over HAL’s best interests.

Question 5

Ethical Decision Making
3. Suppose Susan had a friend with a small business that offered some services similar to those provided by HAL Inc. During a discussion of DRP and HAL’s plan, Susan’s friend asked to see how a “big” company would plan for disasters. Susan decided to provide her friend with a copy of the DR plan. Was this an appropriate action? Why or why not?

Answer 5

Susan’s decision to provide her friend with a copy of the DR plan was inappropriate and unethical. It violates the confidentiality and security of HAL’s sensitive information and could potentially harm the company’s competitive position. It could also create a conflict of interest for Susan if her friend’s business directly competes with HAL’s services. Susan should have declined her friend’s request and emphasized the importance of confidentiality and data security.