Beyond an Information Technology Approach to Continuity of Operations: The Commonwealth of Virginia Story

Abstract

Virginia developed and implemented a continuity of operations plan for all disasters including a possible flu pandemic. Continuity plans include provision for use of alternative facilities in case a disaster disables the primary department or agency facility. Virginia also created a new Emergency Operations Center with sufficient space to accommodate individual departments and agencies that have had their facilities made inoperable. The Emergency Operations Center has sophisticated computer and communication technology which permits operational management of a disaster. Especially important is the redundancy aspect so that the center is resilient to failure of any individual system.