Security threats are shifting faster than ever. In this blog, Pamela Larson shares why organizations need to stay proactive, not reactive, when it comes to protecting people, systems, and operations.
Security threats are evolving rapidly, shaped by a combination of cyber vulnerabilities, supply chain risks, geopolitical instability, and natural disasters. Organizations face a growing need to adapt their security strategies, ensuring they can anticipate, mitigate, and respond to threats effectively.
As Chief Security Officer for North America at Everbridge, I’ve worked closely with organizations across multiple industries to strengthen their security posture. Unlike one-size-fits-all security strategies, resilience requires an approach that accounts for regulatory complexities, interdependent infrastructure, and a highly digitalized economy. This blog explores key security challenges and provides actionable strategies for organizations looking to build true resilience.
The modern security landscape: Key challenges
While security risks are global, the threats facing organizations today present unique challenges. Among the most pressing concerns are:
1. Ransomware and cyber extortion threats
Cyber threats continue to be one of the biggest risks for businesses, with ransomware attacks increasing by 60% over the past two years, according to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). These attacks are not only financially damaging but also disrupt critical services such as healthcare, transportation, and energy.
2. Supply chain security and infrastructure vulnerabilities
Complex supply chain networks are particularly vulnerable to disruption, whether due to cyberattacks, labor shortages, or extreme weather. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), nearly 43% of cyberattacks in 2023 targeted vulnerabilities within third-party supply chains. Organizations must take a proactive approach to supply chain risk management, ensuring they have redundancy plans in place.
3. Civil unrest and public safety risks
Social and political movements have increasingly led to disruptions, affecting businesses, city infrastructure, and workforce mobility. A recent report from The Center for Strategic and International Studies indicates that over 500 incidents of civil unrest were recorded in the last three years, highlighting the need for improved situational awareness and crisis response strategies.
4. The role of natural disasters in security disruptions
Hurricanes, wildfires, and winter storms continue to pose a significant risk to businesses. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) found that many regions experienced record-breaking climate-related disasters in 2023, demonstrating the need for integrated security and emergency response strategies.
Strategic approaches to building security resilience
Given today’s security challenges, organizations must move beyond traditional security models and adopt strategies that are both proactive and adaptive. Below are three essential approaches:
1. Enhancing cyber resilience and zero-trust security models
Organizations must transition toward zero-trust security models, which assume that no system, network, or user should be inherently trusted. Implementing strict access controls, continuous monitoring, and AI-driven threat detection can significantly reduce cyber risk.
A major financial institution recently adopted a zero-trust framework, reducing unauthorized access incidents by 45% while improving their ability to detect insider threats before they escalated.
2. Securing the supply chain through digital and physical risk assessments
To mitigate supply chain risks, organizations should conduct comprehensive digital and physical security audits for third-party vendors. By integrating real-time monitoring tools and blockchain technology to track supplier data, businesses can enhance transparency and resilience against disruptions.
A leading automotive manufacturer implemented an AI-driven risk assessment tool across its suppliers, which helped identify and mitigate over 30 potential security vulnerabilities before they could impact production.
3. Strengthening crisis preparedness and incident response
Organizations need to have well-documented incident response and business continuity plans in place. This includes:
- Conducting regular crisis simulation exercises to improve response times.
- Leveraging mass notification systems to alert employees and stakeholders in real time.
- Establishing partnerships with law enforcement and emergency response agencies to ensure coordinated crisis management.
A major retail chain introduced a regional emergency preparedness strategy that increased operational continuity by 50% during extreme weather events and security incidents.
The role of leadership in driving security resilience
Security is no longer just a technical or operational issue—it is a leadership priority that requires executive-level commitment. Security leaders play a vital role in ensuring security is embedded into overall business strategy.
1. Aligning security goals with business objectives
Security investments should directly support business continuity and growth. When leaders align security strategies with broader organizational goals, they create a more resilient, future-ready business model.
2. Encouraging cross-functional collaboration
Security teams must collaborate with departments such as IT, HR, legal, compliance, and operations to build an integrated approach to risk management. Breaking down silos ensures that security remains a shared responsibility across the organization.
3. Building a culture of security awareness
Security resilience is as much about people as it is about technology. Organizations must invest in ongoing security training, phishing awareness programs, and insider threat detection mechanisms to strengthen their workforce’s ability to recognize and respond to threats.
Case studies: Security in action
1. Banking sector: Preventing a large-scale ransomware attack
A major bank successfully thwarted a ransomware attack that targeted customer transaction data. By deploying automated threat detection tools and AI-powered security analytics, the organization neutralized the attack before any financial losses occurred.
2. Healthcare industry: Strengthening crisis preparedness
A hospital network improved its emergency response capabilities by integrating cyber and physical security teams. During a coordinated cyberattack targeting medical devices, security teams were able to contain the breach within minutes, ensuring uninterrupted patient care.
Future-proofing security strategies
Looking ahead, organizations must continue to evolve their security strategies to stay ahead of emerging threats. Key trends shaping the future of security resilience include:
- AI-Driven Threat Intelligence: Leveraging predictive analytics to anticipate security risks before they materialize.
- Greater Emphasis on Public-Private Partnerships: Increased collaboration between businesses and government agencies to enhance threat response capabilities.
- The Expansion of Zero-Trust Security Models: Wider adoption of identity-first security frameworks to prevent unauthorized access and insider threats.
Security resilience is not just about mitigating risks—it’s about staying competitive in an increasingly volatile world. Organizations that embed resilience into their security frameworks will be better positioned to safeguard their operations, employees, and customers.
Summary
Security is never set-and-forget. Pamela’s message is simple: stay alert, stay prepared, and always be ready to adapt. Evaluate your organization’s approach to security today and identify where you can get ahead of tomorrow’s threats.