Operational resilience has rapidly transitioned from a “nice-to-have” capability to a mission-critical priority for businesses worldwide, say Tracy Reinhold, Global Chief Security Officer at Everbridge and Lorenzo Marchetti, Head of Public Affairs at Everbridge.

Reactive to proactive

A confluence of challenges facing organisations today – including the rise of AI, escalating geopolitical instability and constant regulatory shifts – is unprecedented, creating widespread disruption.

Traditional risk management methodologies, rooted in reactive measures, are not enough.

The question is no longer whether your organisation will face disruptions, but when and, more importantly, how prepared will it be to mitigate them.

This is where a forward-thinking approach to operational resilience, underpinned by cutting-edge technologies like AI, becomes essential for business continuity and long-term survival.

Facing the operational resilience challenge

The modern risk landscape is expanding at an extraordinary rate, with threats ranging from cyber-attacks and geopolitical tensions to supply chain interruptions and severe weather events.

McKinsey estimates that by 2030, businesses could face annual losses of up to $1.3 trillion due to critical events.

Additionally, supply chains are now experiencing disruptions lasting a month or more roughly every 3.7 years.

Beyond the raw numbers lies a far more serious truth: the interconnected and increasingly complex nature of global business ecosystems amplify operational risks. For example:

• Today’s enterprises work with 12 times more third-party vendors and partners than they did a decade ago
• IT environments are exploding in complexity, with an 11-fold increase in operational software systems to manage
• Workforces have become more dispersed, with 13 times more employees now operating in distributed, mobile settings

These factors dramatically amplify vulnerabilities, leaving no aspect of an organisation immune to potential disruptions.

Yet, traditional methods of building operational resilience often fall short of the speed, scale and precision needed to address today’s complex challenges effectively.

Why AI is transformative for operational resilience

It is here that AI transitions from a niche enabler to a strategic linchpin for operational resilience.

Purpose-built AI solutions, specifically designed for critical event management (CEM), provide organisations with the tools they need to stay ahead of risks, rather than simply react to them.

AI technologies power enterprise resilience through four critical capabilities:

1. Data correlation and decision-readiness: AI processes vast amounts of complex data, correlating and enriching it to deliver actionable insights tailored to organisational needs. This empowers decision-makers with the confidence needed during high-stress situations
2. Rapid threat identification: Proactive AI systems do not simply wait for incidents to occur. They detect emerging threats early and automate workflows, drastically reducing delays between issue detection and response
3. Accuracy and noise reduction: Advanced AI systems leverage machine learning, natural language processing and knowledge graphs to eliminate false positives and refine responses with contextual precision
4. Continuous improvement: Post-incident analysis driven by AI equips organisations with actionable lessons, enabling them to adapt and refine their resilience strategies over time

Real-world impact of purpose-built AI

The transformative power of purpose-built AI in enhancing operational resilience is no longer just a concept – it’s a reality.

Enterprises using AI-driven critical event management solutions already experience significant improvements in their operations.

Here are some standout results from our own customers:

• Global media company: Reached 99% of staff within 15 minutes during a critical incident, ensuring rapid and effective communication when it mattered most
• Pharmaceutical firm: Cut the time needed to identify and alert employees about risks by an impressive 90%, dramatically improving response times
• Fintech provider: Accelerated incident response speeds by 15 times, leveraging streamlined AI-enhanced processes for exceptional efficiency

These examples demonstrate the tangible benefits of integrating AI into resilience strategies, delivering gains in speed, precision and operational effectiveness.

Expanding the role of AI across business functions

Operational resilience is far from limited to crisis response.

AI is reshaping resilience across diverse business functions, strengthening enterprises in areas like customer service, data analytics, supply chain management and compliance.

Customer service

AI-powered chatbots equipped with natural language processing maintain engagement with customers even during disruptions.

For instance, IBM’s “AI-infused virtual agents” have been shown to reduce customer service costs by 30% while increasing satisfaction.

Data analytics

AI allows real-time analyses of massive data sets, providing actionable insights that enable better decision-making.

Tools like decision intelligence systems and knowledge graphs are critical for allocating resources effectively during emergencies.

Supply chain management

AI anticipates bottlenecks, forecasts demand shifts and ensures continuity during geopolitical conflicts or extreme weather.

According to McKinsey, autonomous AI supply chain systems have cut inventory costs by 10–20%, while improving efficiency.

Governance and compliance

With AI regulations like the EU AI Act on the rise, organisations require robust governance models.

AI governance committees ensure resilience strategies remain innovative.

Best practices for implementing purpose-built AI

To fully harness the power of AI for operational resilience, organisations must approach its implementation with strategy and care.

Here are some essential best practices to guide this process:

Invest in tailored solutions

Generic AI technologies may fall short for organisations operating in high-risk environments.

Instead, adopt AI systems explicitly built for your industry’s challenges.

Foster active engagement across teams

AI integration should not be siloed.

From senior executives to frontline teams, organisational buy-in is crucial for adoption.

Educational initiatives and robust training modules can empower teams to confidently leverage AI systems.

Establish ethical AI governance

The deployment of AI must be strategic and ethical.

Create a cross-functional governance committee to oversee AI usage, maintain regulatory compliance and ensure alignment with organisational values.

Commit to adaptability

AI technologies must evolve alongside emerging risks.

Use post-incident AI analysis to continuously refine your response strategies, ensuring your organisation stays ahead of future challenges.

Redefining operational resilience

Businesses operating in today’s volatile landscape cannot afford to rely on outdated risk management frameworks.

Operational resilience must be proactive, data-driven and technologically advanced.

High Velocity Critical Event Management solutions, such as Everbridge, are transforming enterprise resilience.

Using the latest advancements in AI, these tools help organisations navigate disruptions, safeguard assets and maintain continuity with confidence.

Building resilience into the core of your organisation isn’t just important – it’s essential for staying competitive in our fast-changing business environment.

Resilient organisations are better equipped to adapt to challenges, recover from setbacks and seize new opportunities, ensuring long-term success.

This article was originally published in the July edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.