BUSINESS STANDARDS
is the quarterly magazine of BSI Group, highlighting the vital role that standards play in today's business environment. Regular features include interviews with leading business figures, as well as news on the latest developments in management systems and standards.

Business Standards > Articles

You've got mail

30 Jan 2009
Topics: Mail screening, Security, PAS 97

In the weeks following the 9/11 attacks, letters containing small quantities of anthrax spores were received by a number of media outlets, as well as by the offices of two US Senators. The attacks killed five people, infected 17 others and created a climate of fear. Since then, there have been a string of hoaxes following the same method, primarily in the US, once again using the postal service as the main route for attack. Letters containing suspicious white power have been sent to individuals as well as organizations ranging from high schools to The New York Times. The result was severe disruption and widespread anxiety.

Even in an age dominated by emails, downloadable PDFs and corporate websites, businesses and other organizations still rely heavily on the postal service for communications. Sending and receiving mail remains an essential part of day-to-day operations, but as the examples above demonstrate, it can also leave a business vulnerable to physical attack, as well as theft of sensitive information.

A new standard - PAS 97 Mail screening and security - developed by the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) in collaboration with BSI, seeks to address these issues.

It has been developed to help organizations identify and implement appropriate postal security measures for their particular needs.

For some businesses, it will be a question of finding the right balance. Too few or inappropriate measures could increase the risk of security incidents, while excessive measures are likely to be an unnecessary expense and could affect the efficiency of the business.

For organizations with no such system in place, this PAS will offer a framework for a sensible mail screening process, set within the broader context of postal security. The standard will be used by those responsible for planning, delivering or procuring mail handling and screening services within organizations, as well as commercial providers of such services.

PAS 97 highlights the importance of postal screening as a security measure, but it also limits potential disruption should any suspect packages or materials surface within an organization. It helps ensure that all incoming, outgoing and internal mail streams are properly managed, cutting down on potential losses due to theft of valuable or sensitive items or information. In other words, it helps maintain business as usual under very unusual circumstances.

Business Standards © 2009. Editorial produced by Caspian Publishing in association with the British Standards Institution. Editorial opinions expressed on are not necessarily those of BSI Group or Caspian Publishing. Neither Caspian Publishing nor BSI Group accept responsibility for advertising or editorial content, nor for that appearing on linked third-party websites. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden without written permission from BSI Group or Caspian Publishing.

Question: We are under increasing pressure to comply with a growing number of regulations and to maintain growth - while under greater scrutiny than ever before. How can this be good for business?

We are all in the risk management business. In the current climate, as consumers we are encouraged to claim compensation or sue for damages for almost any negative incident we encounter.

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