In the face of potential active assailant threats, organizations are increasingly turning to technology to bolster their preparedness and response capabilities. The integration of technological solutions is proving to be a game-changer, particularly in improving communication and ensuring timely responses during incidents. As businesses seek to protect their people and assets, understanding the role of technology in enhancing active assailant preparedness has become essential. 

The power of real-time communication 

One of the primary advantages of leveraging technology in active assailant preparedness is the ability to facilitate real-time communication. During an incident, every second counts, and the ability to disseminate information swiftly can be the difference between safety and chaos. Technology solutions, such as mass notification systems, mobile alerts, and integrated communication platforms, enable organizations to send immediate alerts and updates to all affected individuals, regardless of their location. 

Types of technology systems being deployed 

Organizations are deploying a range of technology systems to enhance their active assailant preparedness. These include: 

1. Mass notification systems: these systems allow for the rapid dissemination of alerts and instructions to employees via multiple channels, including text messages, emails, and mobile apps. 
2. Emergency communications platforms: such platforms provide a centralized hub for coordinating and managing communications during an incident, ensuring that all stakeholders receive consistent and accurate information. 
3. Surveillance and monitoring tools: advanced surveillance systems equipped with AI capabilities can detect unusual activities and trigger alerts, enabling a swift response to potential threats. 
4. Access control systems: these systems enhance security by regulating entry and exit points, allowing for quick lockdowns and controlled evacuations. 

Benefits of real-time alerts 

The implementation of real-time alert systems offers several benefits: 

• Increased situational awareness: real-time alerts ensure that employees are immediately aware of an ongoing situation, allowing them to take appropriate actions to ensure their safety. 
• Coordinated response: With instant communication, response teams can coordinate their efforts more effectively, streamlining decision-making and response strategies. 
• Reduced panic and confusion: Timely and clear communication reduces panic among employees, providing them with the guidance needed to remain calm and follow established protocols. 

Challenges and solutions 

Despite the clear advantages, organizations face challenges in implementing and maintaining these technology solutions. Communication issues remain a top concern, with security professionals identifying real-time updates, sending alerts, and making quick decisions as key hurdles during active assailant incidents. However, nearly 70% of security professionals have already deployed technology solutions to address these challenges, indicating a growing recognition of the importance of technological integration. 

Next steps 

As organizations navigate the complexities of active assailant preparedness, technology stands out as a vital component in enhancing their capabilities. Everbridge has partnered with ASIS to survey around 700 security professionals to establish benchmark data on how the training, the tools, and the approach to active assailant preparedness has evolved. We consolidated our findings into the 2024 active assailant preparedness report which you can download here: 

As the landscape of active assailant threats evolves, staying ahead with cutting-edge technology will be crucial for effective preparedness and peace of mind. 

The value of business continuity as part of your end-to-end critical event management strategy

In today’s volatile business environment, organizations face a mountain of unpredictable challenges—from natural disasters to cyber-attacks, supply chain disruptions, and IT outages—that can impact the safety of employees, operational uptime, or customer satisfaction and loyalty. The ability to navigate these critical events hinges on one key factor: resilience. Here, we explore why business continuity is essential to your end-to-end critical event management strategy and how comprehensive planning and preparedness can redefine enterprise resilience.

Why business continuity is vital today

Effective business continuity solutions are no longer optional; they are critical. The landscape we operate in is fraught with unpredictability. The frequency and severity of disruptions have escalated, making robust preparation and rapid response mechanisms a necessity. Furthermore, regulatory compliance demands have tightened, with many industries now subject to stringent regulations that require detailed continuity and disaster recovery plans.

Customer trust and loyalty also hinge on the reliability of an organization’s continuity plans. During crises, the ability to maintain service delivery can make the difference between retaining and losing valuable customers. From a financial perspective, minimizing downtime and ensuring that operations continue smoothly during disruptions can stave off significant financial losses, preserving your organization’s stability and reputation.

The comprehensive approach of an end-to-end solution

Organizational resilience requires a robust end-to-end critical event management strategy that incorporates business continuity. The lifecycle of managing a critical event is built on five foundational pillars: Plan, Monitor, Alert, Respond, and Improve. These pillars ensure that organizations are not only prepared for any event but can also respond effectively, recover swiftly, and continuously enhance their resilience strategies.

The Everbridge platform

The key capabilities of an effective business continuity solution include the ability to develop detailed, tailored plans that address specific organizational needs. Conducting thorough business impact analyses is crucial for identifying and prioritizing critical business processes and resources. Equally important is fostering enterprise-wide collaboration, enabling teams to work together seamlessly across the organization.

Regular testing and refinement of continuity plans are essential to ensure their effectiveness. Meeting industry-specific compliance requirements effortlessly is another critical capability, allowing organizations to navigate regulatory landscapes with confidence.

The value of a comprehensive solution

An all-in-one end-to-end platform is designed to ensure that organizations can anticipate, mitigate, respond to, and recover from critical events. Such a platform integrates business continuity planning with critical event management, creating a cohesive and unified approach. Enhanced communication capabilities accelerate the dissemination of critical information and facilitate collaboration across the enterprise, significantly reducing response times during crises.

Streamlined onboarding processes enable new users to quickly and fully leverage the platform’s capabilities, ensuring that the organization can benefit from the solution’s full potential from the outset. Minimizing communication errors during crises enhances the accuracy and reliability of information, which is crucial for effective incident management.

Continuous improvement is a fundamental aspect of a comprehensive solution. By using real-time data and feedback, organizations can refine and enhance their response strategies, ensuring that they are always prepared for the next challenge

Business continuity for enterprise resilience

In the face of today’s complex threat landscape, having business continuity as part of your end-to-end enterprise resilience strategy is not just beneficial—it’s essential. A comprehensive end-to-end solution provides the resilience organizations need to stay prepared and responsive. By effectively planning, anticipating, and responding to critical events, organizations can not only survive disruptions but emerge stronger.

Achieve total enterprise resilience with a robust business continuity solution—keeping your people safe and your operations running, no matter what challenges arise.

Threats and disruptions of all types are increasing, a higher frequency equates to a bigger impact on populations and businesses