Business and government organizations depend on a rapid and policy-compliant flow of information in order to achieve optimum operational performance and regulatory compliance. Barriers to information flow, missing connections, and inappropriate information sharing exposes enterprises to increased risk.

Channels, a web application for information flow modeling from Mind-Alliance Systems, enables enterprises to model their information sharing environment and specify what information people need to exchange in different scenarios. Channels enables a variety of users to identify problems in the flow of information – gaps, delays, unreliable connections, non-compliant communications – that cause risk to the enterprise.

Channels is used by planners, risk managers and others that need to capture information sharing practices and formalize them into protocols or standard operating procedures. Planners, analysts, consultants, and enterprise architects and other functions within the offices of the Chief Information Officer, Chief Security Officer or the Governance, Risk Management and Compliance Group, can use Channels to manage the risk of information flow delays and break-downs.

Features

• Create profiles of organizations, people, systems and roles
• Model information sharing best practices
• Encode how business practices affect information sharing
• Create information sharing plans, “playbooks” and SOPs
• View, print, and export information flow maps, playbooks, and resource directories

Benefits

Channels information-flow modeling helps improve operational performance and compliance, and reduce risk.

• Clear notification protocols reduce the risk of information not getting to the right place at the right time
• Information exchange protocols support better regulatory compliance and enhance accountability
• Information enhanced decision making and collaboration saves lives and reduces economic damages
• Scenario exercise preparation and review is improved with the use and support of documented information flow models
• Comparison of information flow issues helps prioritize allocation of resources for resolution and supports requests to improve information sharing
• Documented information sharing protocols reduce knowledge loss caused by personnel turnover