How can an organization effectively assess its resilience?

Evaluating existing continuity strategies is essential for assessing an organization's resilience because it directly relates to the efficacy and preparedness of the organization in response to disruptions. Continuity strategies involve the plans and measures put in place to ensure that critical business functions can continue during and after a crisis. By thoroughly examining these strategies, organizations can identify strengths and weaknesses, enable improvements, and ensure that they are capable of mitigating potential risks effectively.

Assessment through continuity strategies includes reviewing protocols, testing plans through exercises, and ensuring that recovery times and objectives meet organizational needs. This evaluation also allows organizations to adapt to changing environments and enhance their overall resilience, making them better prepared to withstand and recover from incidents.

Measuring employee morale, analyzing competitor performance, or relying solely on industry benchmarks do not provide direct insights into an organization's internal preparedness and resilience. While those factors may influence or inform perspectives on resilience, they are not foundational assessments of an organization’s capacity to endure and recover from disruption. Thus, focusing on continuity strategies provides a more direct and actionable approach for assessing resilience.