Risk Management & Mitigation Flashcards

In a disaster recovery plan, what is the purpose of a 'call tree' or communication tree?

Answer: To ensure systematic notification of all relevant staff and stakeholders during an emergency

A call tree is a structured communication plan that ensures all relevant personnel are notified in an efficient, systematic manner during an emergency.

What is 'blocking' in the context of water-damaged archival materials?

Answer: When wet pages or items adhere to each other making separation difficult

Blocking occurs when wet pages stick together as they dry, which can cause tearing and loss of material if not addressed promptly by interleaving or air-drying.

Which of the following is the LEAST appropriate fire suppression system for an archival repository containing paper-based collections?

Answer: Wet pipe sprinkler system throughout all storage areas

Wet pipe sprinkler systems are under constant water pressure and can cause significant water damage from accidental discharge, making them the least appropriate for collections storage.

A repository's risk assessment identifies theft as a low-likelihood but high-impact risk. How should this risk be classified on a standard risk matrix?

Answer: Medium priority — balanced between low likelihood and high impact

On a risk matrix, low likelihood combined with high impact typically places a risk in the medium range, warranting monitoring and basic preventive measures.

What is the primary purpose of conducting a Business Impact Analysis (BIA) for an archival institution?

Answer: To identify critical functions, dependencies, and recovery priorities before a disaster

A BIA identifies which institutional functions are most critical, the resources they depend on, and the priorities for restoring operations after a disruption.

When assessing risks to a digitization project, which threat specifically relates to the authenticity of digital surrogates?

Answer: Unauthorized alteration of digital files without detection

Unauthorized alteration without detection undermines the authenticity of digital surrogates, making fixity monitoring and access controls essential risk mitigation strategies.

An archival repository is located in a hurricane-prone coastal area. Which mitigation strategy specifically addresses storm surge risk to ground-floor collections storage?

Answer: Storing collections on raised shelving or relocating to upper floors

Storm surge causes flooding at ground level; raising collections on shelving or moving them to upper floors directly mitigates the risk of flood water reaching materials.