Adapting risk management: The imperative for resilience

Grégoire Pinton, Managing Director, Global Head of Integrated Risk Management, Crisis24 highlights the need for resilient, proactive risk management strategies to address evolving challenges.

In today’s interconnected world, effective risk management is crucial for businesses and family offices. This involves anticipating potential threats and developing strategies to minimise their impact, ensuring the safety of people, assets and operations globally.

Cybersecurity has become a central concern, with sophisticated attacks targeting critical infrastructure and sensitive data.

The widespread transition to remote work has introduced new challenges, necessitating secure digital environments and adaptive risk protocols.

Additionally, the rising frequency of severe weather events underscores the urgent need for climate resilience, prompting companies to incorporate environmental risk factors into their strategic planning.

Consequently, organisations are adopting more integrated and proactive risk management approaches to navigate the complexities of today’s risk landscape.

Cybersecurity concerns

Cybersecurity has emerged as a top priority for organisations due to the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber-attacks.

Advanced technologies, such as AI and the Internet of Things (IoT), have expanded the digital landscape, creating more opportunities for cybercriminals to exploit vulnerabilities.

High profile incidents, including ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure, have highlighted the devastating impact a single breach can have on operations and reputation.

In response, organisations are investing heavily in robust cybersecurity measures, such as advanced threat detection and incident response strategies, to safeguard assets and maintain stakeholder trust.

Challenges of remote work

The rise of remote work, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has introduced significant challenges for risk management.

Employees working from various locations and using personal devices have expanded the attack surface for cyber-threats.

This shift requires organisations to rethink their security protocols to ensure data protection and secure communication channels.

The reliance on cloud services and collaboration tools necessitates rigorous cybersecurity policies and continuous employee training on best practices.

Additionally, companies must implement adaptive risk protocols that address the vulnerabilities of a dispersed workforce.

Climate resilience and environmental risks

The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and wildfires, underscore the critical importance of climate resilience in risk management.

These events pose risks to supply chains, infrastructure and employee safety.

Organisations are recognising the need to incorporate environmental risk factors into strategic planning, assessing the potential impact of climate-related events, investing in resilient infrastructure and developing comprehensive disaster recovery plans.

Companies are also focusing on sustainability initiatives that reduce their environmental footprint and mitigate climate change risks.

Integrated and proactive risk management

In response to evolving threats, organisations are shifting towards more integrated and proactive risk management approaches.

Rather than addressing risks in isolation, companies are adopting a holistic view that considers interdependencies among cyber, operational and environmental risks.

This approach enables organisations to anticipate challenges instead of merely reacting to incidents.

By leveraging data analytics and real-time risk assessment tools, companies can better understand the complexities of today’s risk landscape and make informed decisions.

Cross-functional collaboration among departments is essential in creating a unified risk management strategy that aligns with organisational goals.

To meet the need for speed, modern risk management solutions must integrate AI to process multiple data streams in real-time.

However, these AI-driven platforms must rely on vetted information sources, as human oversight is crucial for ensuring data value and utility in decision-making.

Crisis24 Horizon combines real-time data with human analysis to deliver comprehensive risk assessments.

The platform utilises advanced analytics and incorporates insights from analysts, enhancing the accuracy of risk assessments and providing organisations with a clearer understanding of potential threats.

By integrating data-driven insights with expert analysis, Horizon equips organisations to make informed decisions and develop effective risk mitigation strategies.

People-centred approaches in crisis management

In crisis management, the human element is paramount. Effective stakeholder management and clear communication is essential for navigating challenges.

Organisations must actively engage stakeholders, understanding needs and providing timely information throughout a crisis. Clear communication mitigates panic and misinformation.

Organisations should develop comprehensive communication plans outlining how information will be disseminated across platforms – email, social media and internal messaging systems – to reach diverse audiences.

Fostering transparency is also crucial.

When stakeholders feel informed and included in decision-making, they are more likely to support the organisation’s response efforts.

Regular check-ins and feedback loops can help organisations assess stakeholder sentiment and adapt strategies accordingly.

Training employees on crisis communication is important, as empowered employees can act as effective ambassadors for the organisation.

By prioritising people-centred approaches in crisis management, organisations can strengthen stakeholder relationships, enhance resilience and improve overall response to future challenges.

The evolving risk landscape requires organisations to adopt resilient and proactive risk management strategies.

As threats grow more complex – spanning cybersecurity and climate-related risks – companies must integrate advanced technologies and human expertise to enhance assessment and response capabilities.

By fostering collaboration and adopting holistic strategies that consider interdependencies among risks, organisations can better anticipate disruptions and safeguard their assets and stakeholders.

Ultimately, integrating real-time data, human analysis and adaptive protocols will empower businesses to navigate today’s risk environment, ensuring they remain agile and resilient amid uncertainty.

Grégoire Pinton

Grégoire Pinton brings more than 25 years of international leadership experience to Crisis24.

He is currently based in the Crisis24 headquarters in Annapolis, Maryland, but has worked in seven countries on three continents.

He spent more than 20 years in Jakarta, Singapore, Philadelphia, Prague, Paris, London and Montreal, where he held senior management positions at International SOS, a leading global medical and travel security services company.

Crisis24

Crisis24, a global, AI-enhanced platform in travel risk management, mass communications, critical event management, crisis-security consulting and personal protection solutions including a global medical concierge practice, allows prominent organisations, disruptive brands and influential people to operate with confidence in an uncertain world.