From natural disasters to terrorism, the supply chain is vulnerable. Nevertheless, "the typical large U.S. corporation has given disaster preparedness a low priority because of competing business issues, a failure to recognize the true level of its vulnerability to disaster, and an assumption that the service and government sectors are responsible for disaster response." So says a 300-page white paper from the Council of Logistics Management (www.clm1.org).

The report continues on to say that "disaster management for supply chain professionals requires rethinking...Each organization needs to assess their supply chain vulnerability and cost/benefits for preparedness for the appropriate (natural, accidental, and intentional) disasters." Suggestions include creation of supply chain disaster management teams and preparedness and recovery plans as well as collaborative continuity planning with government and public sector organizations. In short, "companies must improve their preparedness to sustain performance following any major disaster."