“[David R. Hardy’s] genius was to anticipate future events and to address them well before
they occurred.”
– Plaintiff’s lawyer Mark Edell, The Wall Street Journal, 1996
More than 35 years ago, Shook, Hardy & Bacon pioneered the concept of coordinated management of nationwide and international litigation. In keeping with this trail-blazing tradition, the firm has invested in a business continuity model that seeks to anticipate information needs according to industry best practices. A three-pronged approach ensures that SHB remains at the forefront of the legal field with regards to the latest advances in technology, security and recovery efforts.
Business Continuity Program
SHB is a leader in developing, implementing and maintaining an integrated Business Continuity Program. Since 1990, Business Continuity has incorporated information security and disaster recovery activities. The purpose of these activities is to improve information protection, reduce the potential of serious business interruptions and ensure timely business resumption. Business Continuity performs business impact analysis, risk/vulnerability assessments, threat studies, security awareness training, and disaster recover exercises.
Information Systems Security Program
The Information Systems Security Program is positioned to protect sensitive information and technologies that support SHB automated business processes. Officially launched in January 2000, this dynamic program has been designed to supplement and enhance information systems security measures currently in place. With increased threats from hackers, activists and malicious code, this program must be constantly vigilant. Thus the application of technology, together with the support of all security aware employees, provides the framework for the firm's information protection program.
Disaster Recovery Program
The Disaster Recovery Program’s primary emphasis is to recover and/or restore critical applications and systems should a crisis occur. To be prepared, more than 60 disaster recovery exercises have been successfully conducted, recovering data and restoring systems. Exercises crossed international borders with “hot site” facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom. Vendor disaster recover centers are located in multiple locations, including London. Kansas City has a suburban facility under contract for emergency use. Recovery plans for offices outside Kansas City have been prearranged with area hotels and/or business centers for temporary office space.
