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Insights, company news, and resources from Perry Johnson Registrars.

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How to Keep Your Business Resilient with Smart Cybersecurity

6/20/2023
How to Keep Your Business Resilient with Smart Cybersecurity

To protect sensitive information, organizations must invest in their cybersecurity procedures. Detection of breaches is a crucial first step in incident response. Pre-incident detection involves taking preventive measures before an attack occurs, while real-time detection can sense when an attack…

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To protect sensitive information, organizations must invest in their cybersecurity procedures.

Detection of breaches is a crucial first step in incident response. Pre-incident detection involves taking preventive measures before an attack occurs, while real-time detection can sense when an attack is underway. Unfortunately, post-incident detection is the most common, requiring the awareness of a successful attack to stop it. The response to an attack involves identifying, containing, eradicating, and recovering from the incident.

Establishing a resilient cybersecurity plan starts with comprehensive risk assessment. Factors like who may target the organization, what they may target, and how they may achieve their goals will help identify weaknesses. Regulatory and contractual requirements should also be considered.

Once risks have been identified, there are several ways to respond:

  • By treating risk, you may implement a measure (or several measures) to reduce the chance or the impact of treating said risk.
  • By terminating risk, you eliminate the risk at the source.
  • By transferring risk, you pass the responsibility for said risk on to another party, such as outsourcing to a transferring third party or taking on insurance.
  • By tolerating risk, you elect to retain the risk – perhaps because there is no viable way to effectively treat it or because the risk has been deemed acceptable.

It’s important to remember that implementing security measures doesn’t guarantee complete protection. A layered approach is recommended, with different types of security challenges to make it harder to be attacked. Organizations often focus on technology but should not neglect the human component and social processes associated with leveraging a possible attack.

For more information, contact PJR via phone: (248) 358-3388 or email: pjr@pjr.com.


Annual Safety Stand-Down Day

6/14/2023

On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) will host the annual Safety Stand-Down Day. This day serves as a reminder for everyone involved in the recyclable materials industry to dedicate at least one hour of…

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On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) will host the annual Safety Stand-Down Day.

This day serves as a reminder for everyone involved in the recyclable materials industry to dedicate at least one hour of their workday to engaging in safety conversations and activities. ISRI has been organizing this event for eight years, encouraging its members to prioritize health and safety. Health and safety programs play an important role in protecting workers and businesses. By implementing these programs, companies achieve various benefits, including preventing injuries and illnesses, improving compliance with regulations, reducing costs, engaging workers, embracing social responsibility, and increasing productivity.

The OSHA Safe + Sound campaign emphasizes three pillars that contribute to a robust health and safety program: management leadership, worker participation, and finding and fixing hazards:

  1. Management Leadership: Top management’s commitment to safety is crucial for success. When management demonstrates a genuine concern for safety and health, workers recognize its importance to the overall success of the business. Ways in which management can display commitment include developing and communicating safety policies, allocating resources, integrating safety into operational decisions, recognizing safety achievements, and leading by example.
  2. Worker Participation: Involving workers in the safety program is vital. Workers possess valuable knowledge and experience related to their jobs, making them essential in identifying and solving safety challenges. For worker participation to be effective, employees must feel comfortable reporting incidents, suggesting improvements, and speaking up without fear of retaliation or discrimination.
  3. Find and Fix Hazards: Proactively identifying and controlling workplace hazards is key to preventing injuries and illnesses. Traditional approaches to hazard management are often reactive, waiting until an incident occurs or external inspections uncover problems. A systematic approach is more effective, involving workers in hazard identification, conducting inspections, investigating incidents, evaluating controls, and continuously monitoring and improving safety measures.

The annual Safety Stand-Down Day provides an opportunity for the recyclable materials industry to focus on safety and health. By dedicating time to safety conversations and activities, companies can demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of their employees and overall business success. Through initiatives like the OSHA Safe + Sound campaign, businesses can create a culture of safety by emphasizing management leadership, worker participation, and a proactive approach to identifying and addressing hazards. By prioritizing health and safety, the industry can continue to reduce injuries, protect workers, and enhance productivity, ultimately contributing to a safer and more efficient workplace.

Learn more here on the ISRI Website.


World Accreditation Day

6/9/2023
World Accreditation Day

Today, on World Accreditation Day (WAD), we celebrate the crucial role that accreditation plays in shaping the future of global trade. Jointly organized by ILAC and IAF, this year’s WAD focuses on how accredited services contribute to building strong, flexible,…

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Today, on World Accreditation Day (WAD), we celebrate the crucial role that accreditation plays in shaping the future of global trade. Jointly organized by ILAC and IAF, this year’s WAD focuses on how accredited services contribute to building strong, flexible, and sustainable global supply chains.

Research by the OECD reveals that up to 80% of world trade involves accredited conformity assessment against international standards. Accreditation, along with standards and regulations, demonstrates the authenticity, traceability, competence, and impartiality of goods and services. It fosters the necessary confidence in quality, safety, and integrity, simplifying global supply chains.

In addition to supporting quality and trade, accreditation contributes to sustainability. The ongoing challenges posed by the pandemic, rising energy prices, and trade barriers have led many businesses to compromise on their sustainability goals. WAD 2023 highlights how accreditation aligns with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, helping businesses meet sustainability targets.

You may participate in the virtual event hosted by IAF and ILAC, discussing how accreditation supports global trade. Let’s recognize the importance of accreditation in driving sustainable and efficient global trade.

Registration details and additional resources can be found on the ILAC and IAF websites: https://ilac.org/news-and-events/world-accreditation-day-2023/


World Food Safety Day

6/7/2023
World Food Safety Day

Every year, on June 7, the world celebrates World Food Safety Day, highlighting the importance of preventing foodborne illnesses and acknowledging the efforts made in this crucial area. Food safety is a global concern, as one in ten people worldwide…

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Every year, on June 7, the world celebrates World Food Safety Day, highlighting the importance of preventing foodborne illnesses and acknowledging the efforts made in this crucial area. Food safety is a global concern, as one in ten people worldwide falls ill from consuming contaminated food every year.

As a business owner or employer, there are several steps you can take to prioritize food safety:

  1. Adhere to food safety regulations and operating procedures and providing training for food handlers.
  2. Incorporate food safety education into wellness policies.
  3. Promote the adoption of WHO’s Five Keys to Safer Food among employees.
  4. Establish designated areas for the proper washing of produce, utensils, and hands, and consider providing hand sanitizer.

As an employee, you can also play a role in maintaining your own food safety:

  1. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly with clean water.
  2. Prioritize washing hands with soap and clean water and drying them before handling food.
  3. Clean and sanitize all surfaces and equipment used such as cutting boards, dishes, utensils, and countertops.

World Food Safety Day presents an opportunity to raise awareness and engage in activities promoting food safety. Here are a few suggestions for participation:

  1. Share advice on improving food safety using information from the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization.
  2. Host a webinar to promote discussion about food safety.
  3. Conduct training sessions and leverage social media platforms to spread awareness and encourage safe food practices.

World Food Safety Day serves as a reminder of the importance of preventing foodborne illnesses and celebrating the efforts made to ensure a safe food environment.


Beyond The Audit: Business Changes Post-Certification

6/2/2023

Certain changes in your business may affect the certification process and require additional action from PJR. When a change occurs, PJR is required to take appropriate action. The response depends on the nature of the change and its impact on…

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Certain changes in your business may affect the certification process and require additional action from PJR.

When a change occurs, PJR is required to take appropriate action. The response depends on the nature of the change and its impact on the certification. Some changes may require no specific action, while significant changes will require a contractual amendment.

There are three major categories of changes that can impact certification:

  1. Legal change, which includes alterations in ownership or legal status of the business. These changes may or may not affect the existing certification.
  2. Operational change, which involves day-to-day aspects of the business. This includes changes in the scope of operation, management systems and processes, staffing changes, and the number of employees. Changes in this category typically have an impact on certification.
  3. Physical change, which relates to the physical aspects of the organization such as location/address changes, addition or removal of sites, or significant damage to a site. These changes are likely to affect certification.

In some cases, a short-notice audit may be necessary to assess the change and its compliance with certification requirements. Nonconformances found during short-notice audits are treated the same way as those found during regularly scheduled audits. If you’ve decided to accept credit card payments for your business, you’ll quickly realize there are many merchant providers out there and they all charge differently. Compare processing credit card fees to find the most cost-effective solution.

Both PJR and the client have contractual obligations regarding material changes. The client is responsible for notifying PJR in writing and in a timely manner about any changes. Clients are encouraged to reach out to their scheduler for any questions or concerns regarding material changes or post-certification practices.

For more information, contact PJR via phone: (248) 358-3388 or email: pjr@pjr.com.