In today’s technology-driven world, digital infrastructure has evolved from a supporting asset to the core of organizational operations. Every industry, from finance and healthcare to manufacturing and retail, relies on interconnected systems, data, and processes to function seamlessly. Yet, as these digital ecosystems expand, so do their vulnerabilities. Cyberattacks, IT outages, regulatory pressures, and third-party risks increasingly threaten the continuity of business operations. Addressing these challenges is no longer just an IT concern—it has become a critical enterprise-wide mandate.
Resilience: More Than Business Continuity . . .
For decades, organizations have relied on Business Continuity Planning (BCP) to recover from disruptions. BCPs offered structured roadmaps to restore operations after unforeseen events, focusing on specific scenarios. However, in an era of increasingly complex and unpredictable risks, this traditional approach is no longer sufficient. The modern risk landscape—characterized by the business reliance on technology, complex threats, supply chain disruptions, and evolving regulatory requirements—demands a more dynamic and proactive strategy.
This shift has led to the rise of operational resilience, a discipline that transcends the reactive nature of BCPs. Operational resilience isn’t just about recovering from disruptions; it is about anticipating them, adapting in real time, and ensuring the delivery of critical services even under adverse conditions. It’s a forward-looking capability that integrates seamlessly with operational risk management, emphasizing the importance of continuous improvement through testing, monitoring, and planning. As the USA OCC states, “operational resilience is an effective outcome of operational risk management.” Resilience prioritizes essential services, focusing on maintaining business outcomes rather than simply restoring systems and processes.
Within the broader framework of operational resilience, digital risk has become a focal point. As organizations digitize their operations and adopt new technologies, they expose themselves to a range of threats. Cyberattacks have grown more sophisticated, with ransomware incidents threatening to bring entire systems to a standstill. IT outages, once considered isolated events, now have cascading effects across interconnected platforms. The reliance on third-party vendors and cloud providers introduces additional vulnerabilities, creating new points of failure. Meanwhile, evolving regulations, such as the EU Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA), add layers of complexity, requiring firms to not only safeguard their operations but also demonstrate compliance.
Resilience Focus is Across Industries . . .
What sets operational resilience apart is its universal applicability. While it’s often spotlighted in financial services due to stringent regulations, its principles resonate across industries. In healthcare, for instance, the resilience of digital systems can directly impact patient outcomes. Manufacturing companies, heavily reliant on automation and IoT technologies, risk production shutdowns from cyber incidents or IT failures. Retail businesses, particularly e-commerce platforms, depend on uninterrupted service to maintain revenue and customer trust. Even critical infrastructure, such as energy grids, faces unique risks from cyberattacks and physical disruptions.
New Paradigms and Solutions for Resilience . . .
The challenge, however, lies in execution. Many organizations still operate in silos, with IT, risk management, and business operations functioning as separate entities. This fragmented approach undermines efforts to build resilience, as critical dependencies often go unrecognized until it’s too late. Adding to the complexity is the dynamic nature of today’s risk environment. New technologies like artificial intelligence bring unprecedented efficiency but also introduce unforeseen risks and dependencies that must be managed. Organizations increasingly depend on third-party vendors who may lack the same resilience standards, creating vulnerabilities that can ripple through their operations.
To thrive in this evolving landscape, resilience must become a part of an organization’s DNA. This means investing in strategies, processes, and solutions that provide real-time visibility into services, processes, and interdependencies. Technologies like process mining, micro-simulations, and AI-driven models can help organizations simulate disruptions, identify weaknesses, and adapt proactively. Breaking down silos through cross-functional collaboration is equally critical, ensuring that IT, risk management, and business operations work together toward shared objectives. Partnerships with third-party vendors must also evolve, moving beyond basic audits to co-designed processes that align with resilience goals.
Ultimately, digital risk and resilience management is no longer just about safeguarding IT systems—it’s about securing the continuity of critical services that define an organization’s ability to operate, compete, and thrive. As businesses face increasing disruptions and regulatory pressures, operational resilience offers a path forward. By embedding resilience into every aspect of their operations, organizations can move beyond recovery and toward sustained success in an unpredictable world. It’s not just about surviving the challenges ahead—it’s about seizing the opportunities they present.
Upcoming Resilience Events . . .
- On December 4, 2024, I’ll be leading my Digital Risk & Resilience by Design Workshop in New York City. This interactive session will delve into the strategies and frameworks needed to embed resilience into operations, from mapping critical services to leveraging technology for adaptability and compliance.
- On December 17, 2025, I will be speaking on a webinar, The Intersection of GRC and Resilience: Best Practices and Insights | 1 month to DORA, where we will delve into the critical intersection of Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) and business resilience.