ABSTRACT

Risk is often equated with external forces (e.g., natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, or earthquakes) that present the risk of power disruption, building destruction, or worse. Less obvious is the risk inherent in the adoption of a new computer-based system or the distribution of systems and data across a country or world via telecommunications networks. Risk may even be present in disruption due to labor disputes, labor shortages, a poorly run or missing training program, or a flu epidemic that takes out one-half of the personnel for a week.