The private sector plays a distinct role in mitigating and preparing for potential disasters, whether natural or manmade. Recognizing this fact, the 9/11 Commission recommended that a common set of criteria and terminology for preparedness, disaster management, emergency management, and business continuity be promoted among the private sector. This prescription led to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Voluntary Private Sector Preparedness Accreditation and Certification Program (PS-Prep™). PS-Prep™ establishes federal certifications for consensus-based voluntary standards for business continuity and organizational resilience.

The Homeland Security Studies and Analysis Institute, a federally funded research and development center operated by Analytic Services on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), plays an instrumental role in furthering PS-Prep™. The HSSAI's support has included the following:

• Drafting a strategic plan
• Proposing business continuity strategies and justifications
• Developing an approach to consider small business needs
• Refining a communications and outreach strategy
• Devising incentives to increase participation
• Identifying improvements to the program’s processes

On March 14, 2012, AT&T became the first private sector company to be certified to DHS’s PS-Prep™ standards. On that occasion, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano remarked that “private organizations across the country play a vital role in bolstering our disaster preparedness and response capabilities. I commend AT&T for achieving PS-Prep™ certification, and encourage other private sector partners to work with the PS-Prep™ program to further enhance the readiness and resiliency of our Nation." HSSAI's systems thinking expertise gives us a unique perspective on the indispensable role that private sector and nongovernmental entities play in national preparedness. This perspective will allow us to continue helping PS-Prep grow and thrive.

PS – Prep™

The PS-Prep™ program was mandated by Congress as part of the Implementing the Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007. In June 2008, DHS signed an agreement with the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ANAB) to manage accreditation and certification of private sector entities. In June 2010, DHS adopted three voluntary preparedness standards: 1) ASIS SPC. 1-2009 Organizational Resilience: Security, Preparedness, and Continuity Management System, 2)BS 25999 Specification for Business Continuity Management, and 3) NFPA 1600 Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs. As mentioned above, PS-Prep certified its first participant in March 2012.