Operational resilience is the ability of an organization to deliver critical business operations, even during disruptions. This concept, as defined by the European Banking Authority, emphasizes ensuring that essential services continue to function amid challenges such as cyber-attacks, natural disasters, regulatory changes, or supply chain disruptions. 

Unlike organizational resilience, which focuses on the broader capacity of an organization to adapt and survive, operational resilience focuses on maintaining critical operations. Its growing importance stems from the increasingly interconnected and complex environments businesses operate in today. 

Why operational resilience matters 

Disruption is an unavoidable reality in today’s business environment. With increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, geopolitical uncertainties, natural disasters and a hyperconnected digital world, the question is no longer if a critical incident will occur, but when. The ability to anticipate and mitigate such incidents can mean the difference between navigating the storm successfully or facing significant losses.  

Beyond financial impacts, failing to maintain operations during a crisis can severely harm your reputation and strain relationships with customers and vendors. In some industries, it could even lead to regulatory penalties. Being prepared is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity. 

For industries such as Financial Services, Healthcare, Energy and Utilities, Telecom, and Manufacturing, disruptions can have far-reaching effects. Operational resilience ensures: 

• Business continuity even under adverse circumstances. 
• Protection of critical services for customers and stakeholders.  
• Regulatory compliance, reducing the risk of penalties.  
• Enhanced organizational reputation, fostering trust and loyalty.  

Ultimately, operational resilience sets businesses up not only to survive but to thrive, ensuring they remain competitive no matter the challenges. 

Key elements of operational resilience 

Building operational resilience requires focusing on three critical areas: people, processes, and technology.  

People 

• Cross-functional collaboration: Teams from IT, security, leadership, compliance, and operations must work together to identify potential vulnerabilities and develop strategies. 
• Leadership is key:Leaders must foster a culture of resilience that encourages proactive problem-solving and organizational readiness. 

Processes  

• Protect critical business functions: Identify which processes are vital to operations and design safeguards to keep them running. 
• Flexibility is critical: Operational workflows must be adaptable to accommodate unforeseen challenges or evolving risks. 

Technology & systems   

• Robust IT infrastructure is essential:This includes cybersecurity measures, disaster recovery plans, and reliable data backup systems.  
• Modern tools pave the way for real-time insights:Technologies like artificial intelligence can help monitor vulnerabilities and predict potential disruptions. 

How to build operational resilience  

Implementing operational resilience starts with actionable steps that organizations can take today.  

Assessing operational risks & vulnerabilities  

• Conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential threats.  
• Map out dependencies across operations, including third-party vendors and supply chains.   

Establishing a response framework   

• Develop incident response plans that outline clear steps to handle unforeseen disruptions.  
• Regularly test frameworks through drills and simulations, ensuring readiness during high-stress events.  

Embedding resilience into strategic decisions  

• Align operational resilience with business goals, Risk Management strategies, and Business Continuity Planning.  
• Make continuous adaptation a priority, recognizing that risks and operational landscapes constantly evolve.  

Continuous improvement  

• Track performance over time using KPIs specific to resilience and refine strategies accordingly.  
• Stay informed about emerging risks and industry changes that may require new approaches.  

Operational resilience vs business continuity  

While operational resilience and business continuity often overlap, they are distinct approaches.  

Operational resilience takes a proactive and broader approach. It considers not just internal operations but external dependencies, regulatory requirements (like DORA in financial services), and long-term risks.  

Business continuity, on the other hand, focuses on reactive measures, such as predefined plans to recover quickly after disruptions. Its priority is minimizing downtime and restoring operations.  

Both disciplines depend on cross-functional collaboration, emphasize the identification of critical business functions, and require regular testing. However, operational resilience builds on business continuity by ensuring adaptability to future challenges.  

Future of operational resilience 

The future of operational resilience is rooted in proactive planning and continuous improvement. To remain competitive, businesses must anticipate risks and integrate resilience into their everyday strategies.  

This means fostering collaboration across departments, leveraging advanced technologies, and aligning resilience with organizational goals. By combining operational resilience with business continuity, organizations position themselves to withstand turbulent conditions and meet future challenges head-on.  

Now is the time to act. Continuity experts should assess their organization’s operational resilience framework, identify gaps, and take strategic steps to strengthen it. Explore Everbridge.

For more ways to operationalize resilience, visit our resource on understanding DORA and explore our Operational Resilience Solutions.  

Operational resilience isn’t just a priority—it’s a business imperative. Take the next step to protect your critical operations today. 

As the Palisades Fire continues to devastate communities across Southern California, our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy. This is now one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting the safety and resilience of residents, employees, and communities during this critical time.

Here are some key steps and considerations to help you stay informed and prepared as the fire evolves:

Stay connected: Sign up for alerts

In times like these, receiving real-time updates can save lives. Make sure you’re signed up for emergency alerts in your area:

• Visit ready.lacounty.gov/emergency-notifications to access a list of notification systems across Los Angeles County.
• For communities using Everbridge or Nixle, text your zip code to 888-777 to receive SMS alerts directly on your phone.
• Ensure your phone has emergency alerts turned on. In some cases, people have disabled these notifications, but these alerts can be life-saving. Here’s how to check and enable them:
  • For iPhone:
    • Go to Settings.
    • Tap Notifications.
    • Scroll to the bottom and ensure Emergency Alerts, Public Safety Alerts, and Test Alerts (if available) are toggled on.
  • For Android:
    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap Safety & emergency (or search for “Emergency Alerts” in the Settings search bar).
    • Tap Wireless emergency alerts.
    • Ensure all options (e.g., Extreme threats, Severe threats, and Public Safety Messages) are toggled on.

Plan for power outages

The fire has already caused widespread power disruptions across the region. Here’s how you can stay prepared:

• Backup Power: Use portable chargers, power banks, or generators to keep phones and essential devices running.
• Battery-Operated Radios: Keep a battery-operated or hand-crank radio to receive updates if cellular networks become unreliable.
• Emergency Lighting: Flashlights and solar-powered lanterns can be invaluable during extended outages.

Accessibility is essential

Emergencies like this underscore the importance of inclusive communication. Here’s how you can ensure everyone in your household or team has access to critical information:

• For individuals with disabilities: Rely on SMS text alerts or voice calls if visual or auditory impairments prevent access to standard communication channels.
• Language needs: Many alert systems offer multilingual notifications. Check if your city’s system provides updates in your preferred language.
• If you’re supporting loved ones with special needs, ensure they are signed up for alerts and understand what to do if evacuation orders are issued.

Monitor local conditions

Wildfires are unpredictable, and conditions can change rapidly. Stay updated with real-time information:

• Air Quality: Track air quality through platforms like AirNow.gov, especially if you or your loved ones have respiratory conditions.
• Evacuation Zones: Know your local evacuation zones and have a clear plan to leave quickly if ordered to do so.
• Local News: Tune into trusted local media channels for the latest developments and community resources.

Protect your health and safety

The fire’s intensity and smoke can pose serious health risks. Take the following precautions:

• Minimize Outdoor Activity: Smoke and ash in the air can aggravate respiratory issues. Wear an N95 mask if you need to go outside.
• Prepare for Evacuation: Keep an emergency bag ready with essentials like medications, water, snacks, and copies of important documents.
• Check on Neighbors: If you know of individuals who might need assistance, such as seniors or those with disabilities, ensure they have the resources and support to evacuate if needed.

Offer support to those in need

If you are safe and able to help, consider supporting your community in the following ways:

• Volunteer at Evacuation Centers: Local shelters need assistance with distributing supplies and caring for evacuees.
• Donate Supplies: Items like water, blankets, and hygiene products are in high demand at shelters and relief centers.
• Mental Health Support: Fires take an emotional toll. Check in with family, friends, and coworkers to offer support or direct them to resources like the Disaster Distress Helpline (1-800-985-5990).

Resilience in the face of crisis

This wildfire reminds us all of the importance of preparedness, empathy, and community solidarity. Whether you’re evacuating, supporting loved ones, or volunteering to help those displaced, every action counts.

At Everbridge, we stand with the communities affected by these wildfires and remain committed to our mission of keeping people safe and operations running during critical events. Let’s work together to navigate this crisis and emerge stronger.

In December 2024 a prominent CEO was shot and killed outside of a Manhattan hotel where they were attending an investor meeting. The incident has drawn significant public attention, with speculation surrounding both the suspect’s motives and the broader implications for corporate security, given ongoing controversies and protests against the company at the time of the attack.

The best way to protect your company and your executive assets from this risk is developing a comprehensive executive protection and secure journey management plan.An intelligence led approach can limit your risk exposure and enhance your executive protection in a variety of ways.

– Adam DeLuca, Everbridge Director of Risk Intelligence

Monitoring

Early detection of threat and risk is invaluable to executive protection. Monitoring collection platforms in real-time allows you to identify potential threats before they become major problems and enables executive protection teams to proactively manage risk to their clients in a timely manner.

Utilizing Different Types of intelligence  

OSINT gathers information from publicly available sources. Human intelligence collects information obtained through direct contact with individuals who may have relevant insights. Signal intelligence monitors electronic communications and data to identify potential threats. Protective intelligence focuses specifically on identifying and assessing threats to an individual. These types of intelligence analyze incredible amounts of data from various sources to provide a comprehensive picture of the threat landscape to help shape risk assessments. 

Trend Analysis / Threat Assessments

Looking at the threat landscape and doing comprehensive threat assessments allows security teams to anticipate potential risks and vulnerabilities, develop targeted mitigation strategies, and make informed decisions to safeguard the principal through detailed situational awareness, rather than simply reacting to incidents.

Situational awareness

By monitoring real-time information, intelligence provides a comprehensive understanding of the environment surrounding the executive, including potential dangers in specific locations or during travel.