The challenge is no longer whether operational resilience is understood or prioritised, but how effectively it is embedded. That’s according to the latest members-only report from the BCI (Business Continuity Institute). Most businesses have an operational resilience programme or are developing one, according to the BCI.
Partly, the move to such programmes is due to regulation, such as DORA in the European Union, or similar rules in the UK; in full, the Digital Operational Resilience Act which regulates banks, insurers and others in the finance sector.
Another theme, according to the report, sponsored by risk management software firm Riskonnect, is that resilience extends beyond organizational boundaries. Supply chain complexity and depending on others are now firmly at the forefront of resilience discussions, the report states. “At the same time, internal challenges such as legacy infrastructure, resource constraints and governance complexity continue to limit progress,” the report says.
Obstacles
The BCI found that obstacles to such programmes include maintaining momentum beyond initial implementation; and, put another way, how to turn strategy at high level into what’s consistent and sustainable in practice, across business functions. And while regulatory frameworks have driven adoption, there’s demand among business continuity and resilience managers for clearer and more practical guidance.
Maria Florencia Lombardero Garcia, Thought Leadership Manager at the BCI, said: “As geopolitical instability, escalating cyber threats, regulatory complexity, and growing reliance on third parties continue to intensify globally, operational resilience has become a strategic business imperative rather than a compliance exercise. Organizations are now expected not only to withstand disruption, but to maintain critical services across increasingly interconnected supply chains and technology ecosystems. In this environment, resilience is fundamental to trust, continuity, and long-term sustainability.”
More reading
Next week, from May 18 to 22, the BCI is running Business Continuity & Resilience Awareness Week (BCAW+R), including 31 free to view webinars. You can download an executive summary of the report by signing up on the BCI website.
