Business Continuity Plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business Continuity Plan - Assignment Example The plan formulated and implemented is specifically designed for the White House security staff. The staff is meant to ensure security of the White House is not breached. Plan Scenario Numerous possible scenarios may interfere with the security and normal functioning of the White House. Some of them may include: 1.Natural Calamities Examples include: Floods and Storms 2.Inadequate employees The inadequacy may be due to sickness and injuries, staff strikes or go slows, resignations and retrenchments. 3.Security Breaches Possible incidences include: intruder invasion, cyber-attacks and loss of data and hostile invasion among others. 4.Deficient Infrastructure Possible incidences include power outages, network outages and telecommunication equipment breakdown. Plan assumption The following assumptions will be made subsequent to the implementation of this policy: 1.Sufficient security personnel will be available at any given time at the expected assigned posts 2.An appropriate evacuation procedure will be in place in the event of possible security breach and onset of natural calamities. 3.Backup power generators and network boosters will be available at any particular moment. In the departments not affected, power and network should be maintained. 4.A data breach response team equipped with up to date strategies should be available when needed. Plan Section Recovery Strategy Summary The strategies to be undertaken are expected to neutralize the consequences of the scenarios.

The Land of Enchantment by Marian Russell Essay Example for Free

The Land of Enchantment by Marian Russell Essay The book titled â€Å"Land of Enchantment† by Marian Russell (1845-1936) is an account of her travels along the Santa Fe Trail as a child during the 1850s and 1860s. The book is addressed to her daughter in law, Miss Hal Russell, to whom she dictated it in the 1930s. But, the aim of the book, according to the author is â€Å"to preserve to posterity the truth and the warmth of an unforgettable period in American history; the stirring decades in which sturdy pioneers blazed trails across a strange and wondrous land of prairies, plains and mountains†. Hence the book may be considered as addressed to all future generations of readers who are fascinated by the American West and in particular the Santa Fe trail. It was published in a limited edition in 1954 and due to high ratings by leading critics, the demand for the book far exceeded the stock. The Santa Fe Trail was historically a popular route in New Mexico that was used for commercial travel across the West. As such it was used more frequently by merchants than by emigrants. It was rare to find women on the Santa Fe Trail and this makes this account by Marian Russell a very special one. It is one of the few firsthand accounts by a woman of life on the Santa Fe Trail. The book brings to life nineteenth century New Mexico from the eyes of a seven year old girl. Adding more color to the accounts are Mrs. Russell’s memories of several well-known western figures.   This book is truly a historical account of the Santa Fe Trail. The book is a first-person account of the author’s travels and hence the book is highly authentic. Moreover, the meticulousness of the details included in this travel account provides the book with a high degree of value as a historical book. Marian Russell was the third and last child of William and Eliza St. Clair Sloan, who were of Scottish ancestry. She was named after Lady Marian Wallace whose tragic story touched her mothers heart. In this book, the author traces her life story from 1848 to 1936. During this period, she moved from St. Louis to California with her mother. The travel took her across the Santa Fe Trail – the historic nature of which is best brought out through Russell’s words: â€Å"It led from our eastern seaboard to the waters of the blue Pacific. If we could but measure it by the tears and the smiles it has known we would never be able to trace its way through American history†. The style of writing is very simple but very colorful. The author uses descriptive words to bring the scene before the readers: â€Å"†¦as we bore westward, the deer and the antelope bounded away from us. There were miles and miles of buffalo grass, blue lagoons and blood-red sunsets and, once in a while, a little sod house on the lonely prairie-home of some hunter or trapper†. She also includes minute details such as the freight charges during that period in time.   Ã¢â‚¬Å"The freight rate to Santa Fà © was $10.00 per hundred pounds. Teamsters and drivers were paid $25.00 per month plus rations†. The narrative is partly child like and partly adult in perspective as this is an account of the experiences of a small child dictated in an adult voice. The author talks about the dangers due to native Indians on the Santa Fe Trail. She recounts with horror the night when the Indians attacked the camp she was staying in and stole a herd of two hundred army horses. During this account, the author also gives deep insights to the culture of the people she met. The Indians she noticed valued some relatively small worth articles such as charms and disposed easily of some things of real value. These charms could be in the form of a war bonnet or a breech clout or even just a smooth pebble from the river. But charms were never for sale. Apart from Indian culture, she also gives accounts of the animals and plants along the route: big spiders, centipedes, scorpions, spiders, rattle snakes and lizards. There was also a variety of cactus that resembled trees, wild asters, scarlet honeysuckle, and night blooming poppies. Her poetic way of perception binds the reader’s interest in the book: â€Å"Sometimes a cactus, an old bone or a bunch of red grass caused the desert mirage to assume gigantic proportions†. Through her dialogue with Captain Aubry, Marian Russell traces the history of New Mexico. She also includes great details on Fort Union. She describes Santa Fe as a place full of â€Å"donkeys, goats and Mexican chickens†. During her stay at Santa Fe and Albuquerque, she gives accounts of Mexican food, their housing, their lifestyle, the legends they believed in, the Mexican Mandolin, their dressing style, the tragic story of Mrs. Adelaide Wilson, and the faith of the Catholic nuns. She crisply notes: â€Å"The old Mexican was pure Spanish and Indian, and often the Indian blood predominated; a class of people as colorful as the land in which they lived†. Thus, the book â€Å"Land of the Enchanted† by Marian Russell is a must-read for anyone with a fascination for Mexican history and culture. With the kaleidoscopic nature of details included, the book will be highly informative from many viewpoints: science, history, sociology, archeology, spirituality and humanity as well. Bibliography: Russell, Marian (1981). Land of Enchantment: Memoirs of Marian Russell along the Santa Fae Trail. University of New Mexico Press, 1981

Graphite Electrodes Production and Optimization Practices

Graphite Electrodes Production and Optimization Practices Graphite electrodes are used in both DC and AC electric arc furnaces. Companies who use electric arc furnaces have to cover the cost of these consumable electrodes during production, so optimizing the usage of graphite electrodes is a money-saving opportunity. This paper aims to discuss the production process of graphite electrodes as well as industry practices that are used to enhance the life of electrodes. To produce a graphite electrode, carbon is required. The carbon source for graphite electrodes comes from the petroleum industry as a by-product from the oil refining process. In the refining of crude oil, hydrocarbon chains are cracked in coking units and the resulting fuels are then separated as kerosene, gasoline, and diesel. As chains of hydrocarbons are being cracked in this process, pure carbon becomes deposited on the sidewalls of the coking units. The carbon on the sidewalls accumulates up to a certain point when it is the ground out of the unit. This carbon is called petroleum coke, or petcoke. This is the carbon source for graphite electrodes. After the petcoke is obtained from the oil refinery, it is blended with pitch to make a plastic-like material. (Making a UCAR ® Graphite Electrode) This blend of petcoke and pitch is then extruded through a circular die and cut off in sections. It is then baked at a temperature of above 800 degrees Celsius for a period of one to two weeks. After baking, the electrode is impregnated with more pitch to increase the density of the electrode which lowers electrical resistance and makes it stronger. The electrode is then re-baked at a slightly lower temperature to drive off volatiles found in the pitch. Finally, the electrode is heated to a temperature of about 3000 degrees Celsius to recrystallize the carbon into graphite. This final heating is called graphitization. Graphitization is very important in electrode manufacturing because it provides better mechanical strength and also improves electrical conductivity. The final step in electrode production is machining. The electrodes are machined to specific tolerances. This is especially important at the ends of the electrodes where the joints connect. (D. Klein) A good connection between joints is necessary for mechanical and electrical properties of the electrode. Electrode consumption takes on two forms: Continuous consumption and discontinuous consumption. (Richard J. Fruehan) Continuous consumption contributes 90% of total electrode consumption while discontinuous consumption only accounts for 10%. Even though discontinuous consumption accounts for far less than continuous consumption, discontinuous consumption can also account for furnace downtime which can cost a lot of money. So even though it is a small percentage, it is worthwhile to try to prevent it for the sake of productivity. In continuous consumption, the tip and sidewalls oxidize and the mass of the electrode is reduced. Tip consumption is a function of current and angle. Higher currents and steeper tip angles both yield faster oxidation rates of electrodes. (A. Lefort) Higher currents increase the temperature of the electrode which favors a faster oxidation rate. The steeper the tip angle, the closer the electrode needs to be to the steel bath to arc. Steel is more likely to splash onto the electrode if it is closer to the bath. One way to reduce the oxidation rate of electrodes is to cool them. Water cooled electrodes have been shown to reduce the oxidation rate of the sidewalls by 40% and the tip by 50%. One issue with water cooled electrodes is the flow rate of the water. If the flow rate is too high, water will pour into the furnace and increase the heat loss. The loss of heat can end up costing more than the money saved from reducing electrode consumption, so this is an important factor to conside r in this process. In discontinuous consumption, one of the most obvious techniques to prevent electrode breakage is simply to not ram the electrodes into the steel scrap. Graphite is a soft, brittle material and steel scrap is pretty hard and durable. If these two materials come head-to-head, the steel wins. Another method of discontinuous consumption is tip spalling. (A. Lefrank) This is more prevalent in DC furnaces than in AC furnaces because the DC electrodes see higher temperatures and therefore higher thermal stresses. The temperature gradient can be significant in the tip of a DC electrode and the thermal expansion of graphite can cause enough stress on the tip to break off small pieces. (J. E. Surma) Normally, the arc in a DC furnace will move about randomly, but occasionally the arc will sit in one spot, heating up that portion of the electrode tip creating thermal stresses that cause the tip to spall. Arc deflection control is a practice that has been implemented so when the arc becomes fixa ted on one spot, it will essentially â€Å"push† the arc out from that spot to get it to move about in a random fashion once more. Another practice to prevent the discontinuous consumption of electrodes is to ensure proper torque is applied when installing new electrode segments. The vibrations from the furnace and electromagnetic forces due to the flow of electricity give electrodes a good shaking. This can jostle the segments loose from their joints. This is mainly a problem in DC furnaces because AC furnaces are designed to ensure that the electromagnetic forces work to their advantage. In AC furnaces, the phase sequence is counterclockwise, so the forces on the electrodes due to the electromagnetism of the system only ever tightens the electrode joints. Below is a chart of recommended torque according to electrode diameter from SGL Carbons website and an AC furnace schematic of forces due to phase sequence. One final practice that helps prevent the failure of electrode joints is to turn off the water spray for a few minutes after the addition of another electrode segment. (Richard J. Fruehan) The temperature gradient is much steeper when the water spray operation is active. This thermal gradient can cause a problem when it reaches the joint because of the thermal expansion of graphite. Even if the electrode was tightened with the proper amount of torque, the effects of temperature on the electrode joint is enough to loosen it. This coupled with the furnace vibrations could be enough to cause the electrode joint to fail. In conclusion, graphite electrodes are an essential part of electric arc furnace steelmaking. Since they are consumable, any way to improve the life and efficiency of an electrode saves money in the steelmaking industry. Practices such as water cooling electrodes and optimizing current and tip angle are effective ways of reducing the oxidation of electrodes while taking care not to impact the scrap during melting, ensuring proper torque during installation, and turning off the water spray while adding another segment all help reduce breakage and joint failure. Works Cited: A. Lefort, M. J. Parizet, S. E. El-Fassi and M. Abbaoui. Erosion of Graphite Electrodes. J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys. 26 (1993): 1239-1243. A. Lefrank, W. J. Jones, and R. G. Wetter. DC Steelmaking Conditions and Electrode Performance. Electric Furnace Conference Proceedings 53. Warrendale: Iron and Steel Society, 1995. 337-346. D. Klein, K. Wimmer. DC Electrodes A Key Factor for Progress in EAF Production. Metallurgical Plant and Technology International 18:4 (1995): 54-63. Graphite and Carbon Electrodes. 6 December 2009 . J. E. Surma, D. R. Cohn, D. L. Smatlak, P. Thomas, P. P. Woskov, C. H. Titus, J. K. Wittle, R. A. Hamilton. Graphite Electrode DC Arc Technology Development for Treatment of Buried Wastes. Waste Management 93 Symposia. Tuscon, 1993. Making a UCAR ® Graphite Electrode. 2007. 6 December 2009 . Richard J. Fruehan, Ph.D. The Making, Shaping and Treating of Steel 11th Edition. Richard J. Fruehan, Ph.D. The Making, Shaping and Treating of Steel 11th Edition. Pittsburgh: The AISE Steel Foundation, 1998. 562-574.

Compare and Contrast All Quiet on the Western Front and Dulce et Decoru

The poem "Dulce et decorum est" by Wilfred Owen has a lot In common with "All Quiet on the Western Front." By Erich Remarque although Remarque never fought in the 1st World War. The Imagery in the prose is more detailed as it has more time to describe everything "The fields are flat." Some people think that this is better and it gives it a bit more feeling. Were as in the poem, Owen uses lots of short hard hitting words such as "Obscene as cancer" The poem gives a much more immediate effect in a shorter space of time. The imagery in the poem is quick and dramatic. The titles of the pieces are ironic "All Quiet on the Western Front" and "dulce et Decorum est" which means it is fitting and right. In the Poem everything is tired in the first stanza "Of tired, outstripped Five-Nines" This is a hyperbole as bombs don't become tired. The whole of the war became a sluggish battle. It is also a slow pace to start with in the prose with men looking forward to getting back the huts for some rest. "I wish I were back home. Home - he means the huts" In the second Stanz...

Is Walmart Good for America?

Wal-Mart: An Epic Idea â€Å"Save Money, Live Better. † A greeter welcomes you into the phenomenal discount store we Americans call Wal-Mart. A one stop shop for just about anything and everything you need, Wal-Mart is a major investment to America: 1) Wal-Mart is one of Americas most leading discount stores 2) Wal-Mart employs many people 3) Wal-Mart sells its products for a lower price, making it more favorable to consumers. In 1962, the first Wal-Mart was founded in Rogers, Arkansas. Its growth and succession has lead to its spread around the world. One man, one vision; Sam Walton’s mission was to save people money to help them live a better quality lifestyle. With its earnings and its improvements, Wal-Mart has played a major role in America’s economy. The first Wal-Mart was found in 1962. The year the birth of discount retailing began. The chain of variety stores that Sam Walton owned during the 1950’s faced stiff competition from the many regional discount stores. Before the opening of Wal-Mart, Mr. Walton traveled the country studying just about everything about discount retailing. He noticed that American consumers wanted a fresh new type of store. Acting on instinct, Sam and his wife Helen invested about 95 percent of their income into their first Wal-Mart store in Rogers, Arkansas. In 1972, many other discounters expanded, yet Wal-Mart only opened 15 stores. Later, Wal-Mart stock was offered to the New York Stock Exchange. With the infusion of capital, the company then grew to 216 stores in 11 states by the end of the decade. By the year of 1981, there were 1402 Wal-Mart stores. Employment had increased tenfold; sales had grown from 1 billion in 1980, to 26 billion. Today, 8416 stores and club locations have been opened. Wal-Mart employs more than 2. 1 million associates, serving more than 176 million customers a year. Wal-Mart is a perfect example of how to manage growth without losing sight of your values. America’s most popular discount store, Wally’s World beats all saving stores that promise you some sort of discount. Sam Walton quotes â€Å"If we work together, we’ll lower the cost of living for everyone†¦we’ll give the world an opportunity to see what it’s like to save and have a better life. † In the past 40 years, Wal-Mart has opened 16 markets worldwide. Wal-Mart works with their suppliers to introduce more energy efficient products that can save money for customers’ money for years to come. Wal-Mart saves us as consumers’ money, to improve our way of living. Wal-Mart has teamed up with Mercy Corps and USAID to help small farmers in Guatemala, that’s why you see the Fair Trade Coffee on shelves at Sam’s Club. By collaborating with their communities and suppliers, Wal-Mart helps improve the lives of others. Wal-Mart has a major impact on America’s economy. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity, Wal-Mart has ranked number one among retailers in Fortune Magazine’s 2009 Most Admired Companies. Since 2005, Wal-Mart stores have averaged a net sale of 342. 14 billion dollars. Wal-Mart Stores cash flow gas increased 5943 million dollars from Jan, 31 2008- Jan, 31 2009. For the past five years, Wal-Mart has been excelling in their business. Now, more than ever, Wal-Mart is there for their customers. There has been a strong growth; net sales have increased 6. 8 percent to 255. 7 billion. Segment operating income has also increased 7. 1 percent to 18. 8 billion. Wal-Mart has introduced the Project Impact store remodeling plan, under this plan, Wal-Mart expects to update 700 new and existing stores this year, with over 3600 stores in the United States. Walmarts main goal is to save consumers money to improve the quality of their lives. I can definitely say that Wal-Mart is a positive for America. A discount store opened up in Arkansas, now only 40 years later, a major corporation. Wal-Mart helps people, its philanthropic ways have encouraged the store to help others outside the circle of consumers. Economically, Wal-Mart has increased and improved. Who knew one man with a vision could encourage so much growth. Wal-Mart is indeed, good for America. Is Walmart Good for America? Wal-Mart: An Epic Idea â€Å"Save Money, Live Better. † A greeter welcomes you into the phenomenal discount store we Americans call Wal-Mart. A one stop shop for just about anything and everything you need, Wal-Mart is a major investment to America: 1) Wal-Mart is one of Americas most leading discount stores 2) Wal-Mart employs many people 3) Wal-Mart sells its products for a lower price, making it more favorable to consumers. In 1962, the first Wal-Mart was founded in Rogers, Arkansas. Its growth and succession has lead to its spread around the world. One man, one vision; Sam Walton’s mission was to save people money to help them live a better quality lifestyle. With its earnings and its improvements, Wal-Mart has played a major role in America’s economy. The first Wal-Mart was found in 1962. The year the birth of discount retailing began. The chain of variety stores that Sam Walton owned during the 1950’s faced stiff competition from the many regional discount stores. Before the opening of Wal-Mart, Mr. Walton traveled the country studying just about everything about discount retailing. He noticed that American consumers wanted a fresh new type of store. Acting on instinct, Sam and his wife Helen invested about 95 percent of their income into their first Wal-Mart store in Rogers, Arkansas. In 1972, many other discounters expanded, yet Wal-Mart only opened 15 stores. Later, Wal-Mart stock was offered to the New York Stock Exchange. With the infusion of capital, the company then grew to 216 stores in 11 states by the end of the decade. By the year of 1981, there were 1402 Wal-Mart stores. Employment had increased tenfold; sales had grown from 1 billion in 1980, to 26 billion. Today, 8416 stores and club locations have been opened. Wal-Mart employs more than 2. 1 million associates, serving more than 176 million customers a year. Wal-Mart is a perfect example of how to manage growth without losing sight of your values. America’s most popular discount store, Wally’s World beats all saving stores that promise you some sort of discount. Sam Walton quotes â€Å"If we work together, we’ll lower the cost of living for everyone†¦we’ll give the world an opportunity to see what it’s like to save and have a better life. † In the past 40 years, Wal-Mart has opened 16 markets worldwide. Wal-Mart works with their suppliers to introduce more energy efficient products that can save money for customers’ money for years to come. Wal-Mart saves us as consumers’ money, to improve our way of living. Wal-Mart has teamed up with Mercy Corps and USAID to help small farmers in Guatemala, that’s why you see the Fair Trade Coffee on shelves at Sam’s Club. By collaborating with their communities and suppliers, Wal-Mart helps improve the lives of others. Wal-Mart has a major impact on America’s economy. A leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity, Wal-Mart has ranked number one among retailers in Fortune Magazine’s 2009 Most Admired Companies. Since 2005, Wal-Mart stores have averaged a net sale of 342. 14 billion dollars. Wal-Mart Stores cash flow gas increased 5943 million dollars from Jan, 31 2008- Jan, 31 2009. For the past five years, Wal-Mart has been excelling in their business. Now, more than ever, Wal-Mart is there for their customers. There has been a strong growth; net sales have increased 6. 8 percent to 255. 7 billion. Segment operating income has also increased 7. 1 percent to 18. 8 billion. Wal-Mart has introduced the Project Impact store remodeling plan, under this plan, Wal-Mart expects to update 700 new and existing stores this year, with over 3600 stores in the United States. Walmarts main goal is to save consumers money to improve the quality of their lives. I can definitely say that Wal-Mart is a positive for America. A discount store opened up in Arkansas, now only 40 years later, a major corporation. Wal-Mart helps people, its philanthropic ways have encouraged the store to help others outside the circle of consumers. Economically, Wal-Mart has increased and improved. Who knew one man with a vision could encourage so much growth. Wal-Mart is indeed, good for America.

Richman Investments “Internal Use Only” Data Classification Standard

Richman Investments â€Å"Internal Use Only† Data Classification Standard The â€Å"Internal Use Only† data classification standard at Richman Investments will include the most basic IT infrastructure domains to include the User Domain, Workstation Domain, and the LAN Domain. This will encompass all users and their workstations, as well their access to the internet and company server databases and any information in between. The User Domain will enforce an acceptable use policy (AUP) to define what each user can and cannot do with any company data shall he or she have access to it.As well as with company users, any outside contractor or third-party representatives shall also need to agree and comply with the AUP. All users must be properly identified and sign this AUP prior to gaining any access whatsoever to the company network. No exceptions. Any violation will be taken up with company executives and/or the authorities to assess further punitive action. The Workstatio n Domain includes all workstations approved on the company network. No personal devices or removable media may be used on this network. All devices and removable media will be issued by the company for official use only.To access any workstation, a user will need to be first verified, then setup with an account to be logged in with a username and pass code adhering to the IT departments set standards. All systems will undergo regular updates and be provided with anti-virus and anti-malware software for system monitoring. Access Control Lists (ACLs) will be drawn up to appropriately define what access each individual will have. Any violations will cause an immediate suspension of privileges and again the person(s) in violation will be subject to company executives decisions and/or the authorities for punitive action.The LAN Domain will include all data closets, physical elements of the LAN, as well as logical elements to be designated by authorized personnel. Authorized personnel wil l be properly screened and authorized by the IT department head and given a special access card with separate pin code as well their normal username and pass code. Each closet will require this special access card and code to gain admittance. Each server will also require this card and code along with separate username and login credentials.Any hardware, software and equipment is to be installed by these persons only on any machine. Along with that, they will assure proper print, e-mail, and file server setups. They will also be responsible for designating access to users according to ACLs. This includes setup and securing any company Wireless Access Points (WAPs) for use with company devices only. Any violations will be cause for immediate removal of special access rights and suspension of privileges. Again they will be dealt with by company executives and/or the authorities for further punitive action.