How do you lead with confidence in a world of constant disruption?

When unexpected disruption strikes, how prepared is your business to adapt? Whether it’s a natural disaster, a cyberattack, or a supply chain interruption, unforeseen events can derail operations in an instant. With the increasing frequency and complexity of modern risks, having a robust business continuity plan (BCP) is no longer optional; it’s essential.

Consider our evolving climate. Wildfires and droughts, typical of summers in Australia and the western United States, highlight the increasing prevalence of extreme weather events worldwide. Businesses must now prepare for the unexpected and the danger posed to employee safety, physical assets, and day-to-day business operations during these events.

In this guide, you’ll learn what a business continuity plan is, why it’s critical for organizational success, and how to create an actionable plan with step-by-step guidance. By the end, you’ll have the knowledge to safeguard your business against disruptions and ensure operational resilience.

What is business continuity?

Business continuity refers to an organization’s ability to maintain essential functions during and after a disruption. While it shares similarities with disaster recovery, which focuses on restoring critical systems, business continuity takes a more comprehensive approach. It encompasses people, processes, operations, and technology to ensure minimal downtime and quick recovery.

Business continuity plans initially were born out of a need for disaster recovery planning in the early 1970s. At the time, financial companies needed to store backup records away from computers, and recovery efforts were generally the result of disasters like fires and floods. The emphasis was on IT protection, which continued in the 1980s with the proliferation of commercial recovery sites for computer services. Globalization began to ramp up in the following decade as access to data became easier, facilitated by more complex computing systems.

Organizations understood that a more expansive plan was necessary, and business continuity meant integrating elements of disaster recovery planning, emergency preparedness, and crisis management.

The scope of business continuity

Business continuity extends across various organizational areas:

• Operations: Ensures uninterrupted delivery of products or services to customers.
• Personnel: Protects employee safety, well-being, and productivity.
• IT Systems: Recovers critical infrastructure and data to sustain business functions.

It is about building resilience, not just reacting to disasters.

Why is business continuity important?

A well-designed BCP is more than a risk management tool; it’s a strategic asset for success. Here’s why every organization needs one:

1. Risk mitigation

Disruptions are costly. According to a FEMA report, roughly 40% of businesses never reopen after a disaster, and 25% fail within a year. With a BCP, you can proactively identify vulnerabilities and minimize financial and operational losses.

2. Customer trust

Maintaining seamless operations during a crisis strengthens your reputation and customer loyalty. Downtime disrupts your services and erodes trust, which can take years to rebuild.

3. Regulatory compliance

Sectors such as finance, healthcare, and manufacturing are required by law to have business continuity plans. Failing to comply can lead to penalties, lawsuits, and loss of contracts.

4. Protecting people

Potential loss of life from fires, pandemics, floods, or even active shooter situations underscores the need for proactive safety strategies.

How to create a business continuity plan (step-by-step guide)

Creating a BCP may seem daunting, but breaking it into manageable steps ensures every crucial element is covered.

Step 1: Assign directly responsible individuals (DRIs)

The first step when preparing a BCP is identifying who needs to lead, create, and execute it. Clearly define roles and responsibilities for team members:

• Identify who will activate the plan.
• Assign leaders to oversee recovery efforts and communication.
• Ensure team members understand their specific obligations.
• Collect essential contact details for key personnel and stakeholders.
• You may also want to include external parties, such as security contractors and facility or property managers.

Gathering this interdisciplinary team will also ensure alignment on roles and responsibilities, so no one is caught off guard during a disruption. Be sure each member has an on-call resource as a backup. That way should a disruption occur while a BCP lead is away, another subject matter expert can easily step into their role.

Step 2: Conduct a business impact analysis (BIA)

A BIA identifies critical operations and assesses the potential consequences of disruptions. It identifies the risks that could affect your organization and evaluates the degree of harm each could inflict upon its operations, such as regulatory fines, unfulfilled SLAs, or loss of income.

Here’s how:

1. List critical functions:

• Examples include order processing, payroll, customer support, and IT infrastructure.

2. Assess impact:

• Categorize impacts as financial, operational, legal, or reputational.

3. Prioritize:

• Rank functions based on their importance to business continuity and the time required for recovery.

Step 3: Identify and evaluate risks

Analyze potential threats your organization might face. Common risks include:

• Natural disasters (e.g., floods, earthquakes)
• Cybersecurity threats (e.g., ransomware attacks)
• Supply chain disruptions (e.g., delays or shortages)

Evaluate risks based on likelihood and impact, then prioritize high-risk areas first.

Step 4: Develop recovery strategies

Determine the recovery time objective (RTO) for various scenarios. How much time do you have to restore operations to an acceptable level after certain kinds of disruption? For each identified risk, outline a plan to maintain operations:

• Alternate sites:
• Identify remote or backup facilities in case primary locations become inaccessible.
• Backup systems:
• Implement redundant IT infrastructure and off-site data storage.
• Communication plans:
• Use mass notification alerts to keep employees and customers informed during disruptions.

Here, Everbridge High Velocity CEM can play a pivotal role. Purpose-built with advanced AI, High Velocity CEM streamlines recovery plans by proactively addressing risks at scale. It empowers organizations to mitigate disruption, reinforces operational continuity, and enhances resilience. By integrating this system into your strategy, you ensure not only seamless decision-making but also the ability to turn resilience into a powerful competitive advantage in today’s increasingly volatile landscape.

Step 5: Create a communication plan

Effective communication minimizes confusion during a crisis. Your plan should include:

• Internal updates:
• Notify employees of disruptions and share instructions via email, intranet, employee apps, or messaging platforms.
• External communication:
• Inform customers and stakeholders with pre-approved templates for social media, press releases, and emails.
• Tools:
• Use platforms like Everbridge for real-time notifications and updates.

Step 6: Test and update the plan regularly

A plan is only as strong as its last real-world test. Conduct regular simulations and tabletop exercises to assess your BCP’s effectiveness and build your team’s confidence. Gather feedback, identify gaps, confirm technology meets objectives, and make necessary updates.

Ensure your business evaluates your plan against common scenarios such as severe weather, power and network/system outages, cyber-attacks, active assailants, data loss, etc.

Benchmark your plan against others in your industry. You may even want to bring in an external certified business continuity professional to assist in its review. 

Key components of a business continuity plan

A comprehensive BCP should include the following:

1. Emergency response procedures:

• Clear actions to be taken immediately following a disruption, including evacuation and communication strategies.

2. Recovery procedures:

• Outline the steps for restoring critical operations to normal levels to minimize downtime and ensure data availability.

3. Contact information:

• Up-to-date details for employees, vendors, and emergency contacts.

4. Resource inventory:

• A list of essential tools, equipment, and software needed to continue operations.

Essential business continuity strategy best practices

To ensure your BCP is effective, follow these best practices:

1. Regular training:

• Familiarize employees with the BC plan through on-site workshops and virtual sessions.

2. Continuous improvement:

• Encourage feedback and periodic reviews to refine your strategies.

3. Integration with business strategies:
4. Align the continuity plan with your overarching goals to ensure seamless implementation.
5. Cyber resilience:

• Implement regular penetration testing and robust data backup protocols as part of your resilience strategy.

Real-world examples of business continuity in action

CIBC Mellon utilized Everbridge’s polling capabilities to quickly survey our employees on how they commute to work so they could have a better idea of where employees were coming from, how they traveled, and use that information to better inform where recovery sites should be located.

Everbridge also supported CIBC Mellon by monitoring for potential threats and events and providing immediate, proactive situational awareness, potentially before the direct impact is felt or the first news reports are released about critical events.

Take the next step toward resilience

Creating a business continuity plan is more than an exercise in risk management; it’s a commitment to resilience, trust, and longevity. Whether your organization is facing natural disasters, technological challenges, or geopolitical risks, a robust BCP can mean the difference between recovery and ruin.

Start building your business continuity strategy today with expert support. Request a demo and see how Everbrideg empowers organizations to prepare, respond, and thrive in the face of adversity.

Even though Intermountain Healthcare was already a leader in telehealth response time for stroke victims, they knew they could further reduce the time required to connect neurologists with patients in need. With xMatters, they could streamline their notification processes, reduce the operational pain of reaching doctors over long distances, and provide patients with the best possible care even faster than before.

Anytime there is a major event—outages, weather situations, or things of that nature—we use Everbridge Mass Notification.

With Everbridge Assist’s support, this biopharmaceutical company was able to provide an exceptional level of care for their employee that ensured her wellbeing in the safest, fastest and most efficient way possible, in the face of a myriad of challenges.

Security is no longer just about guards and gates—it’s digital, physical, and constantly evolving. Pamela Larson talks about the biggest changes she’s seen, and what leaders need to do to stay resilient.

1. What do you see as the biggest security challenges organizations face today?

Security threats have grown more complex, requiring organizations to protect both physical and digital assets. The rise of cyberattacks, supply chain vulnerabilities, and insider threats means security leaders can no longer rely on traditional methods alone. Organizations must take a holistic approach to security, integrating cybersecurity, physical security, and crisis management into one cohesive strategy. One of the biggest challenges is ensuring that security remains proactive rather than reactive. According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, the average data breach costs companies $4.88 million globally, underscoring the need for organizations to anticipate and mitigate risks before they escalate. Companies that fail to anticipate threats may find themselves scrambling when an incident occurs, rather than having a well-prepared plan in place.

2. How has the role of security leaders changed in recent years?

Security leaders are no longer just focused on risk mitigation—they play a critical role in business strategy. Security has become a board-level priority, and executives expect security teams to provide insights that align with broader business objectives. Today, security leaders must be fluent in technology, data analytics, regulatory compliance, and crisis management. They must also be effective communicators, bridging the gap between security teams and other business units. A recent Deloitte survey found that 82% of executives believe cybersecurity is directly tied to business success. Our job is not just to protect assets but to enable the organization to operate safely and efficiently, even in times of disruption, while ensuring compliance with evolving regulatory requirements like GDPR and the SEC’s cybersecurity disclosure rules.

3. What role does technology play in strengthening security resilience?

Technology has transformed how organizations approach security. AI-driven threat intelligence, real-time monitoring systems, and automation tools now allow organizations to detect and respond to threats faster than ever. For example, predictive analytics can help organizations identify patterns that signal potential cyberattacks before they occur. Additionally, the integration of IoT and smart security systems enhances physical security by providing real-time data on facility access, asset tracking, and personnel safety. However, technology alone isn’t enough—organizations need skilled teams and strong leadership to implement these tools effectively. According to Gartner, by 2027, AI-driven security solutions will reduce the time it takes to exploit account exposures by 50%, making it a crucial investment for organizations aiming to stay ahead of evolving threats.

4. How can organizations build a security-first culture?

Security is not just an IT or security department concern—it’s a shared responsibility across the entire organization. The best way to build a security-first culture is through continuous education and clear communication. Employees should understand the importance of security and how their actions contribute to overall safety. Regular training on cybersecurity threats, phishing awareness, and physical security best practices can help employees become proactive participants in security resilience. Additionally, leadership must set the tone by prioritizing security in decision-making and resource allocation. Studies by the Ponemon Institute show that companies with regular cybersecurity training experience 30% fewer security incidents, reinforcing the importance of an informed and engaged workforce.

5. What is the role of collaboration in security resilience?

Security cannot be managed in isolation. It requires collaboration across departments—HR, IT, legal, and operations—to ensure that security policies and procedures are effective. External collaboration is also crucial. Partnering with government agencies, industry groups, and security networks provides organizations with valuable threat intelligence and best practices. For example, by participating in industry-wide information-sharing initiatives such as the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) threat intelligence sharing programs, organizations can stay ahead of emerging threats and improve their response strategies. A report from the World Economic Forum emphasized that 85% of cybersecurity professionals believe that cross-sector collaboration is critical to improving overall security resilience.

6. What advice do you have for organizations looking to strengthen their crisis preparedness?

Every organization should have a well-defined crisis management plan that outlines clear roles, communication protocols, and response procedures. Regular simulations and tabletop exercises ensure that teams are prepared to act quickly when a crisis occurs. Organizations should also invest in mass notification systems to keep employees and stakeholders informed during emergencies. The key is to test these plans regularly—an untested plan is no plan at all. Research from Forrester indicates that companies with active crisis management programs recover from incidents 40% faster than those without.

7. How can businesses balance security investments with other priorities?

Security should never be viewed as just a cost center; it’s an investment in operational continuity and brand trust. The best approach is to align security investments with business goals. For example, if a company is expanding its supply chain, investing in third-party risk management tools makes strategic sense. When security leaders can demonstrate how security investments reduce business risks and improve efficiency, securing executive buy-in becomes much easier. According to PwC’s Global Digital Trust Insights Survey, 68% of executives believe that strong cybersecurity programs enhance customer trust, making security investments a competitive differentiator rather than just an operational necessity.

8. What security trends should organizations be preparing for in the coming years?

Security threats are evolving, and organizations must stay ahead of trends like AI-driven cyberattacks, the expansion of zero-trust security frameworks, and the increasing use of biometric security measures. Additionally, as hybrid work models become the norm, organizations must rethink how they secure remote work environments, personal devices, and cloud infrastructure. We’re also seeing a rise in nation-state cyber threats, making it even more important for businesses to strengthen their cybersecurity posture. The IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index reported a 200% increase in supply chain attacks in the past year, highlighting the need for organizations to reassess vendor security and third-party risk management.

9. What lessons have you learned from major security incidents?

One of the biggest lessons is that preparation is everything. Organizations that have well-tested incident response plans are always in a better position to recover from security events. Another lesson is the importance of communication—both internally and externally. Employees need clear guidance on how to respond to incidents, and customers need transparent updates to maintain trust. Finally, adaptability is critical. No two incidents are the same, and organizations must be able to pivot quickly as new information emerges. A study by the Ponemon Institute found that organizations with a robust incident response plan save an average of $2.66 million per breach compared to those without one, reinforcing the importance of preparation and adaptability.

10. What final advice would you give to security leaders today?

Security leaders must take a proactive stance—waiting until an incident happens is no longer an option. Investing in people, processes, and technology now will pay dividends when the unexpected occurs. Focus on fostering collaboration, aligning security with business objectives, and staying informed about emerging threats. Most importantly, never underestimate the human factor—people are the first and last line of defense in any security strategy. Continuous learning and adaptability are key; security leaders must remain vigilant and prepared to pivot as the landscape evolves.

Summary

Security resilience comes from preparation and teamwork. Pamela’s insight shows that when leaders break down silos and build trust across their teams, they strengthen their defenses. Take the first step by reviewing your organization’s security strategy today.

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.

Workplace culture isn’t just about perks or policies—it’s what determines how teams handle change, pressure, and challenges. In this blog, Everbridge Chief People Officer Cara Antonacci explores how organizations can build resilience by fostering a strong, connected culture, especially in today’s global and digital-first work environment. She shares insights on leadership, communication, and creating a culture that supports people through uncertainty.

Culture holds everything together

Workplace culture is the glue that holds everything together. It shapes how teams work, how they handle pressure, and how they push through challenges. When culture is strong, businesses adapt better, recover faster, and stay focused even when things get tough.

Today’s workplaces are global and digital-first. Teams are spread across different countries and time zones. People work remotely, across cultures, and rely on technology to stay connected. This brings new opportunities but also new challenges. The way companies build resilience has to evolve.

Why culture matters for resilience

When a crisis hits, a resilient culture keeps things moving. It’s not just about having a crisis plan—it’s about how people react when the plan gets tested. If teams trust each other, communicate openly, and stay flexible, they get through tough moments together. If they don’t, things fall apart fast.

Culture is built every day in the way leaders act and the way teams work together. Everbridge talks a lot about our CLIP values: Customer First, Learning, Integrity, and People. Those values aren’t just slogans—they shape how teams tackle challenges. Putting customers first means teams pull together when there’s pressure. Learning means adapting when things go wrong. Integrity keeps teams honest when the easy way out looks tempting. And valuing people means leaders listen when teams need support.

Building resilience in a global, digital workplace

Remote work, global teams, constant change—these are the realities now. Building a culture of resilience starts with accepting that work doesn’t look like it used to. Leaders need to be intentional about keeping people connected. That means regular check-ins, clear communication, and making sure everyone feels part of the same mission, whether they’re in the office or halfway across the world.

Technology helps, but culture makes it work. Teams need to know they can rely on each other, even if they’ve never met in person. Leaders should encourage open dialogue across regions and time zones. When teams feel included and trusted, they perform better and recover faster when things get tough.

Supporting people through change

Change is hard. Markets shift, companies reorganize, teams grow or shrink. That’s when culture is tested. The best leaders face change head-on. They explain why it’s happening, what it means, and what the plan is. Direct and regular communication builds trust. People don’t need sugarcoating—they need honesty and a path forward.

Resilience also means supporting people when the pressure is high. That might mean more flexible work options during tough times or simply checking in and asking, “How are you doing?” Small actions show people they’re valued. When employees feel supported, they’re more likely to push through challenges and stay engaged.

Culture is a long game

Building a resilient culture doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about showing up every day, being consistent, and leading by example. When teams see that leadership lives the values—Customer First, Learning, Integrity, People—they follow. Over time, that culture becomes the company’s strongest safety net during uncertainty.

Summary

Resilient workplaces don’t just survive tough times—they come out stronger. It starts with culture.