Disaster Recovery Journal Spring 2025

has intensified hurricanes, wildfires, and droughts, all of which can impact business operations. n Biological : Emerging viruses and everyday illnesses can reduce efficiency and halt operations if not properly managed. Often, these threats occur simultane ously. For example, the global pandemic coincided with multiple natural disasters and geopolitical conflicts, straining busi nesses worldwide. A clear plan for each type of disaster is crucial to avoid being blindsided by emerging issues. Cybersecurity Awareness Most employees understand threats like wildfires and break-ins, but many under estimate cybersecurity risks. Continuity fatigue—caused by frequent demands to change passwords or use two-factor authentication—can lead employees to bypass critical security measures. Organizations can reinforce cyberse curity awareness by conducting regular audits. These assessments help identify gaps in compliance and allow businesses to simulate real-world scenarios, such as phishing scams or malware attacks. Business leaders can further enhance cybersecurity and continuity protocols by: n Utilizing device hardening protocols, such as changing default passwords, to obscure root credentials and strengthen network security. n Installing end-to-end encryption to protect data packets in transit. While data at rest still needs protection, this measure ensures hackers cannot access information moving through the network. n Partnering with cybersecurity specialists who provide regular patches to address emerging threats and fortify digital security. Implementing these measures strength ens a company’s security posture and reduces its risk of becoming a target for cybercriminals. Simple steps, such as hiring a dedicated cybersecurity team to roll out security patches, can greatly enhance an organization’s resilience.

Integrating Business Continuity and Cybersecurity By KATIE BRENNEMAN B usiness continuity is crucial in today’s era of pandemics, cli mate change, and global conflict. Without a robust continuity plan, operations can grind to a halt, and a firm’s profitability can take Biggest Continuity Threats Continuity threats to businesses are evolving rapidly. Today’s leaders must consider more than just competitors and consumers—they must stay up to date with emerging threats across multiple domains. Key continuity threats include:

a major hit. Establishing a continuity plan is par ticularly important now, as cybersecu rity attacks are becoming more frequent. The International Monetary Fund echoes this sentiment, stating that “the risk of a cyberattack with systemic consequences has risen,” and extreme losses “more than quadrupled since 2017 to $2.5 billion.” Accounting for these threats is crucial to fortifying a business against attacks and protecting employees in uncertain times. Even simple policy changes, such as routinely requiring password updates, can dramatically improve a company’s chances of weathering an attack without major losses.

n Technological : Cybersecurity breaches, hardware failure, network disruption, and disruptions to tech-based utilities. n Human-caused : Criminal threats, such as break-ins and digital attacks like phishing scams and malware. Accidental damage, including workplace spills and operational errors, also falls into this category. n Geological : Earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters can be easy to overlook but require contingency planning, especially in areas near fault lines or volcanoes. n Meteorological : Climate change

30 DISASTER RECOVERY JOURNAL | SPRING 2025