Disaster Recovery Journal Spring 2024

Strategic Resilience in 2024

Five Key Business Continuity Resolutions

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By KEITH FREDERICK

s we embark on 2024, busi ness continuity leaders and practitioners across various sectors must prioritize stra tegic resilience in a world increasingly characterized by risks and disruptors. This era demands a keen

work capable of withstanding and adapting to evolving threats. Drawing from a broad spectrum of industry experience and a col lective understanding of best practices, the following five resolutions are offered for consideration. Designed to enhance opera tional integrity, foster adaptability, and strengthen overall resilience, these resolu tions are pivotal for any forward-thinking organization. Organizations are encouraged to con sider integrating these resolutions, or others more closely aligned with their unique business needs, into their strategic approach to business continuity. By adopt ing such tailored strategies, organizations can cultivate a proactive stance, ensuring they are well-prepared for current chal lenges and strategically positioned to handle future uncertainties. This approach transcends mere goal achievement; it’s about instilling a culture of resilience throughout every aspect of organizational operations. In doing so, resilience becomes

not just an objective but a core element of the organizational ethos, deeply embedded in every decision and action. 1. Exercising Proactive Vigilance The first resolution, exercising proac tive vigilance, underpins all others. This approach is about more than just avoid ing threats; it involves a comprehensive and active scanning of the environment in multiple dimensions – upstream, down stream, horizontally, and vertically – to identify potential risks and disruptors to products and services. Leveraging the strategic expertise of business continu ity practitioners and leaders, along with employing cutting-edge technologies, tools, and resources, is crucial. These elements are vital for effec tively identifying and responding to risks, thereby ensuring the safety of employees, the stability of finances, the integrity of brands, shareholder confidence, and, criti cally, the trust and satisfaction of custom ers. By utilizing the insights and skills of

awareness of present challenges and a forward-looking approach, anticipating and preparing for future uncertainties. Reflecting on past experiences and stra tegically planning for the future are key steps in formulating resolutions which are timely, deeply considered, and aligned with both immediate and long-term orga nizational goals. In this dynamic landscape, the role of business continuity professionals is more crucial than ever. Their responsibilities extend beyond merely building business continuity plans and responding to imme diate business disruptions or crises. They also involve developing a resilient frame

18 DISASTER RECOVERY JOURNAL | SPRING 2024