Continuity of Operations, or "COOP," means an effort within individual executive departments and agencies to ensure that Primary Mission-Essential Functions continue to be performed during a wide range of emergencies, including localized acts of nature, accidents, and technological or attack-related emergencies.

Leadership at the National level has increased its emphasis on COOP, culminating in the recent issuance of National Security Presidential Directive NSPD 51/Homeland Security Presidential Directive HSPD-20. This policy establishes "National Essential Functions," prescribes continuity requirements for all executive departments and agencies, and provides guidance for State, local, territorial, and tribal governments, and private sector organizations in order to ensure a comprehensive and integrated national continuity program.

What does this mean at the individual governmental organization level? It brings about sweeping changes including:

• Continuity requirements shall be incorporated into daily operations of all executive departments and agencies;
• Providing rapid and effective response to and recovery from the domestic consequences of an attack or other incident;
• Protecting and stabilizing the Nation's economy and ensuring public confidence in its financial systems;
• Providing for critical government services that address the national health, safety, and welfare needs of the United States.

ShoreLand Solutions stands ready to help your organization meet the letter- and spirit- of the Directive. We utilize, and in fact were some of the first adopters, of Federal Continuity Directives 1&2. We can help you meet all of the prescribed requirements where we:

• Conduct an annual assessment of executive department and agency continuity funding requests and performance data;
• Plan, program, and devlop budgets for continuity capabilities consistent with this directive;
• Apply risk management principles to ensure appropriate operational readiness decisions;
• Conduct biennial assessments of individual department and agency continuity capabilities;
• Ensure your agency can accomplish its Primary Mission Essential Functions;
  Increase interoperability;
• Perform COOP program management;
• Conduct COOP training;
• Conduct exercises, to include plan, conduct, and support annual tests.