In the first of a series, Facility Executive introduces you to one of the many business continuity professionals scheduled to speak at the 21st Annual Continuity Insights Management Conference, which will take place at the Hyatt Regency Minneapolis, April 24-26, 2023.
In these times, when the need for critical information-sharing has never been greater, Continuity Insights offers insight, inspiration, and actionable ideas presented by a faculty of leading business continuity experts and practitioners. This conference provides a timely and important opportunity to share best practices, lessons learned, and effective strategies employed to ensure organizational resilience.
Here, we chat with Carol DeLatte, Senior Business Continuity Manager, Exeter Finance, Irving, TX.
Facility Executive: Tell us about your background. How did you first start getting involved with business resiliency?
Carol DeLatte: I, like many others who have been involved with business resiliency, did not say “My career choice is business resiliency” – probably because it’s sort of evolved over the past few decades; it’s not like going to school to become an elementary school teacher or CPA. My industry experience dates back to the 20th century, when my first exposure to Disaster Recovery (DR) began during the infamous Y2K preparations. During the early 2000s I was introduced to Business Continuity (BC), and never looked back! Thenceforth, I have achieved my Certified Business Continuity Professional (CBCP) certification through DRII (2007), followed by adding MBCI through BCI to incorporate international business alliances (2015).
FE: What is the best career advice you’ve ever received?
CD: Mentorship! Over the years, I have been a mentee and a mentor. I was taught to never stop learning and never stop teaching/sharing. Mentorship covers both, and some of my lifelong business relationships/forever friends started with mentorship.
FE: What are some of the standards options you will be discussing, in relation to business resiliency and disaster recovery, in your presentation? Why do you want to highlight these specific standards?
CD: The session has two parts. After a brief presentation, there will be a panel discussion. The panel participants are representing the following standards, which are currently the most widely used worldwide: NIST, ISO, FFIEC and “Hybrid”. Each panel participant has expertise/experience in the standard they will be presenting/defending/promoting. Based on the planning meetings we’ve had in preparation for the session, it sounds like it’s going to be a lively discussion!FE: What would you like your audience to take away from your presentation?
CD: The audience should take away these things:
- History and evolution of the industry standards.
- The understanding of why a company uses a particular standard (some have no choice due to regulations).
- Learn about how to become an implementor of standards.
- What your next steps should be: Should you consider implementing a standard? Or is just aligning to existing standards enough?
- Business cards from the panel participants who may be able to serve as a mentor going forward!
CAROL’S BREAKOUT SESSION
Standards, Standards, Standards
Program Development and Advancement Track
Monday, April 24, 2023
1:00 PM -2:15 PM
This session will facilitate a discussion on the many standards options currently available for Business Resiliency, with an emphasis on Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery. It will include a brief history of standards, why they’re important (or are they?). Finally, should standards become a deal-breaker in an interview process? Would you be so attached to a standard that you would turn down an otherwise great opportunity?