Leveraging Information Systems for Disaster Management
Disaster management is a term which refers to the process that involves a set of actions undertaken by an organization, agency or the government to inhibit the crushing effects of disasters. Disaster management involves the sharing of resources and data as well as decision making. Information technology assists in risk management of business is crucial s technological advances particularly in security of data through encryption has helped guarantee the safety of an organization from future risk s and threats. However, throughout the lifetime of an organization, it would face the consequences of the risks it tries to protect itself from when the security system is breached .
Continuous monitoring has been made possible with technology as it has ensured that access is granted to only authorized personnel to certain places in an organization that contains private information. If such information would be seen by the wrong person it would threaten an organization’s security. Technology has helped in monitoring the value of the security portfolio of a financial institution. Businesses adopt this type of security mainly due securities held in their trading account. Technology has also helped in monitoring online threats posed by hackers who often tend to hack the security system of any business or organization. Such hackers do so in orders to access financial accounts to steal money or access a business’s private records. Electronic trading card has permitted a continuous audit trail to transactions carried out in a business. This has made accurate price reporting easier since it does not rely on the skills of reporting done by humans (Rao et al., 2007).
A business can have continuous planning with the help of technology in that it has helped bank regulators by increasing their ability to measure bank risk. This is noteworthy as it helps in determining pricing insurer exposer as it adopts financial modeling based on options pricing to the task of setting deposit insurance premiums. Technology has aided businesses in the stock exchange market which help it to assess its day to day performance. With such information at its disposal, it is possible to foresee the growth rate of business and future achievements .
In the event of disasters such as fires or earthquakes technological advancements has helped in automatic backing up of all vital data to a business. This data is can be transferred to another center or sealed in cases designed to withstand high temperatures or any undesirable effects thus fully recovering the data. A business would easily get back on its feet if it has all the necessary data that would facilitate its day to day functioning. A business should ensure that any baking up technology is regularly serviced and is tested to ensure its efficiency.
Future advances of technology in disaster management include research in developing online and portable detection devices which use paramagnetic micro bread adaptable to microfluidic monitoring response. This will aid in detection of biological agents harmful to human beings such as bio toxins, viruses or vegetative bacteria. Gene probes are another ongoing research which will lead to developing a device called nanotech biosensor which is an online monitor that will detect bacterial, protozoan and viral infections within 2-3 hours. This would happen without the operator’s intervention .
Some of the challenges in the application of technology in disaster management include; inaccessibility of remote areas. This is a challenge since not all areas around the world are properly equipped with technology that aids in disaster management. Some areas are entirely inaccessible n that they do not have electricity which every technological device runs on. When disaster strikes such areas, helping the people occupying such areas would be impossible due to unpreparedness. Technology has also proved to be extremely expensive and only few countries can afford to invest an enormous amount of resources in technological advancements.
References
Association., I. S. (2010). Monitoring internal control systems and IT : a primer for business executives, managers and auditors on how to embrace and advance best practices. Rolling Meadows, IL: ISACA.
Awasthy, A. (2009). Disaster management : warning response and community relocation. New Delhi : Global India Publications.
Olla, P. (2008). Commerce in space : infrastructures, technologies, and applications. Hershey, Pa: Information Science Reference.
Rao, R. R., Eisenberg, J., Schmitt, T., Management., N. R., & (U.S.), N. A. (2007). Improving disaster management : the role of IT in mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press.
Taylor, C. E., Vanmarcke, E., & Management, A. C. (2005). Infrastructure risk management processes : natural, accidental, and deliberate hazards. Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers.
