From: long@nic.near.net (Dan Long)
Newsgroups: ne.nearnet.tech
Subject: NEARnet Security TEST In Progress
Date: 21 Jul 92 23:50:30 GMT
Organization: NEARnet News/Mail Gateway
Distribution: ne


NEARnet is conducting a TEST of its Emergency Alert System.

We request that all NEARnet members participate in this test which will
involve taking our calls and then calling the NEARnet Emergency
Announcement Line. (The NEARnet Emergency Announcement Line Number is
below).  Please note that we will NOT be shutting down any lines and
ask that you do NOT either.

As many of you know we performed a similar test last December during
normal business hours. This test is being performed off hours to better
test the system we have put into place for handling security incidents.
The test will enable us to find any possible flaws or loopholes in the
procedures, as well as give you a feel for what you should expect from
us if such an issue should arise.

Here is the plan: On 7/21/92 at 1930 EST, the NEARnet network
operations staff will alert the rest of the NEARnet Staff to begin the
security test.  At this time, each of our staff members will be
assigned a group of NEARnet members to call.  Each staff member will
begin calling the contacts at each site to notify them of the security
test.  We will go down the list of contacts for a given site until
contact is made.  If we cannot make contact, we will make note of it
and try that site again later.  For maximum efficiency, we will call
pager numbers first using an automated calling program and then
following up with home and office voice numbers.

What we ask of you is the following:

1) Please take our call.

2) You will be given a brief description of the problem.  Please do not
   tie up the staff member with many questions as he has many sites to
   call.  (This holds true for the test and would apply in a real
   emergency).

3) We have put a voicemail box in place at MIT which can handle a large
   number of callers at once.  In an actual emergency, this voice
   mailbox will be updated with detailed information as we receive it.
   We ask you to please try using it during this test, and make note of
   the phone number for future use.

4) If you receive a call from us, you will be responsible for alerting
   the necessary people in your organization.  Please use this test as
   an opportunity to confirm that your internal procedures are in good
   working order.  Do you have the necessary people's (home) phone
   numbers with you at all times?  What would your response be if this
   were an actual emergency?  Who needs to be involved in the decision
   process?  These are questions we hope you will take time to answer
   for yourself at your earliest opportunity.  (Meanwhile, we will be
   doing the same within our organization here at NEARnet.)

THE FOLLOWING ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS TO GET THE NEARNET EMERGENCY 
ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE MIT VOICEMAIL SYSTEM.

DIAL	(617)258-6245
PRESS	98111# 		You will hear a brief pause then the message.
			You may hang up once the message is finished.

       
PLEASE REMEMBER: THIS IS ONLY A TEST.
-------------------------------------

Thank You
NEARnet Operations.
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