Mission Continuity

At Stanford, we recognize the importance of proactively addressing potential disruptions to our operations. Our Mission Continuity (MC) planning initiative is designed to identify the impacts of various emergencies and support the development of effective contingency plans and strategies to ensure the continuation of our mission-critical services and facilitate recovery.

Through CardinalShield MC, we aggregate essential information and data to support emergency operations, maintain continuity of our initiatives, and engage in hazard mitigation planning. Stanford is committed to establishing robust procedures and systems that enable the seamless continuation of operations even in the face of unforeseen challenges.

The first step in our continuity planning process involves identifying the critical programs, services, and functions that require prompt restoration. This planning allows us to distinguish between immediate actions necessary for initial recovery and those that can be addressed over time. The MC workflow is designed to document these plans and procedures, aiding in university-wide recovery efforts and minimizing potential losses.

We refer to our implementation of Veoci’s "Business Continuity Planning" solution as "Mission Continuity Planning" to more accurately reflect Stanford's diverse academic and research activities alongside its business operations. This approach emphasizes our holistic commitment to sustaining our educational mission during crises.

The MC plan outlines the essential information required to recover and sustain operations during and after an emergency incident or disaster, while also identifying proactive mitigation strategies to reduce impact.

University Emergency Mission

It is important to consider local continuity plans in the context of Stanford’s overall emergency mission. In times of crisis, Stanford's response and recovery efforts prioritize the following:

• Protecting life safety.
• Securing critical infrastructure and facilities.
• Resuming teaching and research programs.
• Communicating efficiently with the Stanford community.

Scope

Our continuity plans encompass a broad spectrum of natural and manmade hazards that might impact Stanford, including our schools, departments, and business units. The plans focus specifically on the recovery phase following an emergency, while the Stanford University Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Department Operations Center (DOC) strategies will address the initial response phase.

Continuity Planning Assumptions

• Emergencies may be localized events, such as fires or active threats affecting one or several campus facilities, or may involve regional emergencies, such as earthquakes.
• Significant events, such as major earthquakes or cyberattacks, could lead to prolonged interruptions in critical utility services, including water, electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications.
• Damage to university buildings and structures may occur, rendering them unusable.
• Unsafe conditions involving structural damage or toxins may arise.
• Traditional suppliers may be unable to fulfill material delivery obligations. By anticipating these challenges and developing comprehensive strategies to address them, Stanford University aims to ensure the resilience and continuity of our vital academic, research, and operational functions in the face of any potential disruption.