...and even credit card numbers were contained the tape.

Initial and subsequent public statements about the lost data proved incorrect. A coverup was alleged. Jobs were lost and reputations were tarnished. The security breach, first downplayed by state officials, eventually affected 1.3 million individuals, businesses, and other government entities in multiple states, costing Ohio an estimated $3 million.

DEFINING "CRISIS" AND PREPARING FOR ONE

By any definition, this was a crisis from the start. Natural disasters, management gaffes, accidents, political scandals, and even unproven allegations of wrongdoing all can threaten an organization's reputation and its ability to fulfill its mission.

In today's world, how the public perceives an organization's response to a crisis or potential crisis is critical. And whenever funds are involved, finance officials may find themselves in the uncomfortable position of being frontline spokespeople.

Highly effective spokespeople make the role look effortless because they have years of experience. They also have a script to work from in the form of a crisis plan.

Many government organizations have little or no crisis communications plan in place, and few finance officers have...

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.



More articles from Government Finance Review
gfoa events.(Government Finance Officers Association of United States ..., December 01, 2007

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