Port Tampa Bay has announced that it has selected the Winter Haven, Fla.-based firm Protected Trust to maintain its flow of business operations in the event of any disaster, such as a hurricane. The partnership with Protected Trust is a concerted effort on behalf of the port authority to ensure workforce business continuity, a key specialty of the firm, which also handles a wide range of IT security solutions for its diverse and international client base.

With its location in Central Florida, 168 feet above sea level, Protected Trust offers secure, storm-resistant disaster recovery facilities, as well as a host of amenities including fiber optics, energy resources, office infrastructure, and information technology to support data storage, processing and communications. There is even on-site temporary lodging.

Port Tampa Bay, claiming to be the state’s largest and most diversified seaport, said it is characterized by unique security and logistics challenges because of its sprawling size and complicated business mix, from bulk and general cargoes to cruise activity, ship repair, and on-site manufacturing. In its overall plan for recovery and business continuity, the port authority must also collaborate with its key partners to protect its many critical assets. Working with Protected Trust will help to synthesize these efforts.

“It is extremely important for the port to effectively manage its assets and business operations smoothly, particularly during crisis times and heavy weather events,” said Paul Anderson, Port Tampa Bay president and CEO. “Working hand in hand with Protected Trust, which offers many critical benefits, we will have a process in place that will ensure our business operations will continue effectively in an interim situation.”