Vol 700 – The Risk of Heat Maps

December 5, 2024

Heat maps, often used to visualize risk assessments in various shades of color, are popular in risk management. They offer a seemingly simple way to display risk levels and are used by executives and decision-makers as a quick overview tool. However, the convenience they offer often comes at the cost of depth and accuracy, leading to potentially misguided decision-making. In this article Tobias Faiss explores 13 ways heat maps can do more harm than good in risk management.

Vol 699 – How Should Quantum Computing Impact Your Security Strategy?

November 21, 2024

As someone who works in cybersecurity, business continuity or crisis management, you must continually adapt your strategies to emerging technologies and risks.

Quantum computing is an example of technology that necessitates doing things differently. You must prepare by applying the best practices and learning as much as possible about the topic.

First, recognize that quantum computing has the potential to forever disrupt present cybersecurity defense measures. Start working with others in your organization to determine how you will tweak your security strategy as quantum computing looms as a potential threat on the horizon. One of our favorite experts, Zac Amos, unpacks quantum computing’s impact on cybersecurity.

Vol 698 – Three Steps to Bridge the Political Divide

November 7, 2024

“No matter who wins the upcoming election, there’s going to be a need for healing in this country,” said Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, Chief Medical Officer at the American Heart Association. Sanchez said, “Cultural intelligence is an answer to the political divide.”

A presentation by Dr. Amy Narishkin, CEO of Empowering Partners, was the catalyst for an interview/discussion with Sanchez. She commented and then asked, “I think so too, but what prompts you to say that?”

Sanchez, “The root cause of the political divide is binary thinking. Binary thinking is a false narrative. There’s always more to the story about a person or problem. With cultural intelligence, you’re teaching people to really listen to others, learn their story and seek common ground.

Vol 697 – The Increase of Dynamic Risk: Lessons Learned from Hurricane Helene

October 17, 2024

As the tragic stories from Hurricane Helene are becoming clear—a more general truth is also coming into focus: storm behavior continues to be stronger, and more unpredictable. For security and resilience practitioners, Dynamic Risk is on the rise.

Expert Chris Hurst has noted this trend in conversations with industry professionals. Over time he began to connect the dots to describe this trend. The common remark, “I was expecting [Risk A], but then I got hit by [Risk B].” The concept of “dynamic risks” includes the following elements:

-Rapid change
-A risk hitting from a secondary direction or event
-Some level of surprise

Vol 696 – A Disaster Management Expert’s Guide to Leading Well

October 3, 2024

The “Master of Disaster” Dr. Thom Mayer shares valuable lessons learned from leading during times of major crises. He is Medical Director for the NFL Players Association and is one of the most widely sought speakers on disaster medicine. In 2022, Dr. Mayer led a mobile team to Ukraine, caring for displaced persons and training over 1,700 Ukrainian doctors, nurses, and paramedics.

Listen to this podcast and you will learn:
– The critical first step to leading well
– The recipe for a great workplace culture
– Why to suck down instead of up
Listen to the podcast or if no time to listen you can opt to get the top takeaways – the “gold nuggets” – all totally free.

Vol 695 – Support Operational Resilience by Using Objectives to Overcome Obstacles

September 19, 2024

All organizations seek to be resilient, yet some may not have clarity toward what resilience means for them. Having a solid resilience-focused plan or playbook will help your organization get there. The playbook should include guidance on leadership support, team structure, technical knowledge, behavioral competencies, and common objectives for your teams.

This week’s expert, Mike Janko, has more than 35 years of experience in all aspects of BC planning. He has effectively responded to and recovered from 3,300+ human, natural or technologically based incidents, crises, and BC events throughout his career.

Vol. 694 – AI Governance Frameworks: Best Practices and Implementation

September 4, 2024

AI has been a leading business topic in the last two years. Now, the hype slows down. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the globe, offering unprecedented opportunities while introducing new risks and ethical considerations. As AI becomes integral to business operations, the importance of effective governance frameworks cannot be overstated. AI governance frameworks provide the necessary structure for organizations to deploy AI responsibly, ensuring that their AI systems are aligned with ethical standards, regulatory requirements, and organizational values.

Expert and book author, Tobias Faiss, is on a mission to build a secure digital world.

Vol 693 – 3 Strategies to Manage Your Employees’ AI Risks

August 22, 2024

If you use artificial intelligence or manage team members who do, risk awareness and reduction strategies are essential for keeping companies, reputations and data safe. AI has become a technology affecting everything from image editors to scheduling tools. A related issue is that some products have artificial intelligence features that executives may not want their employees to use.

Although AI applications are relatively new and still emerging, you can learn and apply numerous actionable steps to prevent unwanted consequences. Zac Amos outlines 3 strategies you can use to manage risks.

Vol 692 – 4 Steps to Integrate ERM into Vendor Management

August 8, 2024

No one should discount the importance of vendors to their organization. Even if it were possible to handle everything internally, attempting to do so would spread any company’s people too thin. Vendors represent an external dependency that consists of both upstream “suppliers” and downstream “distributors.”

In this article, ERM expert Carol Williams explains how the disruption to any link in the supply chain can lead to a wide array of financial, reputational, or strategic consequences beyond any products or services themselves. Therefore, vendor risks require diligent effort to prevent any disruptions. Learn the benefits of a holistic ERM process throughout the entire vendor management life cycle.

Vol 691 – Navigating Remote Employee Compliance Challenges

July 19, 2024

It is no secret; telecommuting is here to stay. Federal, state and local laws on payroll, benefits, taxation, breaks, overtime and licensing vary across the U.S. and around the world.

Considering your current work environment, you may need help navigating these human resources issues.

Zac Amos shares tips and techniques in 10 important areas — for everything from cybersecurity to crisis management — to help you stay in compliance.

Vol 690 – Preparing for Deepfakes

July 4, 2024

The HUB brings you, our valued readers, the best content and resources in our six pillar categories by our authors. Often, we find articles in other publications too good NOT to share, such as one by Claire Myer, managing editor of Security Management.

Claire writes: “A carefully edited video clip could significantly damage your organization, and artificial intelligence (AI) driven applications are making those videos and audio clips even easier to manufacture. A deceptively edited version of one video made the rounds on video hosting services and social media, removing a few select words so that one CEO incorrectly appeared to make a very shocking statement. Pre-crisis steps for deepfake preparedness should be familiar to crisis and security professionals worldwide.”

Vol 689 – 10 Best Practices for Succession Planning

June 20, 2024

Effective succession planning for the C-suite ensures organizational resilience. The goals – seamless leadership transitions, mitigate risks of unexpected departures and maintains robust security postures during times of change. Alarmingly, only 25% of companies have a comprehensive succession plan, leaving many vulnerable to disruption.

Chief information security officers (CISOs) are pivotal in modern organizations. Business continuity, cybersecurity and crisis management are paramount because these elements maintain operational stability and protect company assets. Zac Amos outlines 10 best practices for CISO succession planning.