MERIT: Specialized Verizon Business Team Responds to Network Threats

06:04 | editor | Jan 9th, 2009 1:00pm |

Created in 1992, the Verizon Business Major Emergency Response Incident Team, or MERIT, comprises full-time employees with specialized emergency response management training, as well as experience in the repair and maintenance of communications equipment and networks. Located around the United States, MERIT members have been deployed in response to past emergencies, such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and the 2001 Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the anthrax contamination of a postal distribution facility, and the Baltimore train derailment. Dick Price, director of business continuance and emergency management, Verizon Business, discusses the MERIT team and its role in protecting Verizon Business’ infrastructure to help ensure customer networks operate efficiently and reliably during good times and bad.