Where Hurricane Earl may hit IT

Hurricane Earl may present a blustery challenge for some IT systems, but the most likely casualties will be teleworkers, not data centers, analysts predict. Backup facilities and generators tend to sustain data center operations during storms these days, but Internet access for telecommuters generally does not come with the same level of robustness, reports Patrick Thibodeau at Computerworld.

Power outages in the United States are on the rise, in part because of old infrastructure, and hurricane season is likely to exacerbate the problem. If you really want your telecommuters to be prepared, take a tip from Chuck Wilsker, president and CEO of The Telework Coalition, who works from his home in Montgomery County, Md.

To stay online and in touch during outages, Wilsker keeps two batteries on hand for his laptop and two for his BlackBerry, and he recharges them in his car if he has to. He has a battery-powered light for his desk, and a landline telephone. To stay connected to the Internet, he uses his BlackBerry, which he tethers to his laptop.

Another option: Make sure your telecommuters have access to coffee shops and bookstores with Wi-Fi.

For more:
- see Patrick Thibodeau's article at Computerworld

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