Summary

In this episode, Mike Willis and Debbie Blyth discuss a cyber attack on the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the crisis management response to it. The attack occurred in February 2018 and affected CDOT's systems, including HR, payroll, contractor payment, variable message signs, toll collection, and more. The attack was initiated through a misconfigured virtual server in public cloud infrastructure, which allowed the attackers to gain access to the CDOT domain. The response involved the collaboration between CDOT, the Colorado Office of Emergency Management, and the Colorado National Guard. The National Guard was mobilized through a state emergency declaration by Governor Hickenlooper. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration and trust in crisis management. The establishment of a unified command and the use of incident management teams were key in coordinating the response. Nutrition and hydration were prioritized to ensure the well-being and performance of the response team. The joint information center played a crucial role in managing public and internal messaging. Emergency purchasing and tracking were supported by the Office of Emergency Management. Lessons from this incident can be applied to the corporate sector, emphasizing the need for cybersecurity and crisis management teams to work together.

Takeaways

The cyber attack on CDOT was initiated through a misconfigured virtual server in public cloud infrastructure.

The attack affected various systems and operations within CDOT, causing significant disruption.

The response involved collaboration between CDOT, the Colorado Office of Emergency Management, and the Colorado National Guard.

The National Guard was mobilized through a state emergency declaration by Governor Hickenlooper. Collaboration and trust are foundational in crisis management.

Establishing a unified command and using incident management teams help coordinate the response.

Prioritizing nutrition and hydration improves the performance of the response team.

A joint information center is crucial for managing public and internal messaging.

Emergency purchasing and tracking are important for cost assessment and accountability.

Lessons from this incident can be applied to the corporate sector, emphasizing the need for collaboration between cybersecurity and crisis management teams.

Contact Information

Debbi Blyth

https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-blyth/

Mike Willis

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brigadier-general-ret-michael-willis-a8b49a37/

Summary

In this conversation Podcast Host Steven Kuhr interviews Sarah Lux, an emergency management public information officer from Lake County, Florida. They discuss the role of public information officers (PIOs) in crisis management and share their experiences in the field. Sarah talks about her background in anthropology and how she transitioned into government communications. She also highlights the importance of utilities in crisis management and the challenges of communicating with the public during emergencies. They discuss the use of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for COVID-19 testing and the need for effective communication strategies that go beyond social media. In this conversation, Steve and Sarah discuss the importance of having a comprehensive communication plan during emergencies. They highlight the need for social media to be part of a larger communication strategy that includes other tools like flyers, signage, and press conferences. Kuhr emphasizes the importance of building relationships with the media and other PIOs to ensure effective communication. Sarah shares her experiences during deployments and the challenges of rebuilding public trust after a lack of communication. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the significance of trust, early and accurate messaging, and admitting mistakes in crisis communication.

Takeaways

Public information officers (PIOs) play a crucial role in crisis management by ensuring effective communication with the public.

Utilities face unique crisis situations and require proactive communication to address customer concerns and educate the public.

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) can be a valuable tool for predicting and managing public health crises, such as COVID-19.

Effective crisis communication requires a combination of social media, traditional media, and building relationships with the press.

Collaboration and coordination between PIOs from different organizations and municipalities are essential for consistent and unified messaging during emergencies.

Having a comprehensive communication plan that includes social media as well as other tools like flyers, signage, and press conferences is crucial during emergencies.

Building relationships with the media and other PIOs is essential for effective communication.

Rebuilding public trust after a lack of communication can be challenging and requires admitting mistakes and providing accurate information.

Early and accurate messaging is key in crisis communication, and it is important to set realistic expectations for the media and the public.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmadelinelux/

Summary

In this episode, host Steven Kuhr welcomes Bob Ingram, a former battalion chief in the FDNY to the show. They discuss various topics related to emergency management and crisis response. They start by talking about a recent bridge collapse in Baltimore and the response to similar incidents in New York. They then delve into Bob's FDNY career and his role in special operations and hazmat. They also discuss the merger of EMS and FDNY and the challenges posed by lithium-ion battery fires. The conversation concludes with a discussion of the historical hazards of picric acid and asbestos. In this conversation, Chief Bob Ingram discusses the post-9/11 FDNY operations and the establishment of hammer teams to respond to white powder calls. He highlights the challenges and events that followed 9/11, including anthrax attacks, plane crashes, and a titanium explosion. Chief Ingram also emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other agencies, such as the Coast Guard and military, and the need to maintain capabilities and funding in the face of budget issues. He concludes by remembering Brian Mulhearn, a key figure in New York City emergency response.

Takeaways

Hammer teams were established to respond to the high volume of white powder calls post-9/11.

The years following 9/11 were marked by numerous challenges and events, including anthrax attacks, plane crashes, and explosions.

Collaboration with other agencies, such as the Coast Guard and military, was crucial in emergency response efforts.

Maintaining capabilities and funding is essential to be prepared for future threats and disasters.

Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-ingram-35300a7/