by Ariel Benjamin Mannes | Feb 15, 2020 | Public Integrity, Public Safety, Security

A recent Continuity Central survey showcased feedback on potential continuity trends for 2020. Survey responses captured a spectrum of emerging and existing obstacles, opportunities, and paradigm shifts changing the face of continuity planning as we know it. Here is a closer look at several of these key factors. 

Widespread, but necessary change

Despite the quickening pace of change in business technology and data management, too many businesses have rested on their laurels with their continuity plans — either settling for existing, potentially faulty protocol or simply not adopting modern continuity norms to begin with — and this has led to a variety of scenarios (some of them high profile, with widespread damage) because organizations failed to account for occurrences like security breaches, litigation and new regulatory compliance requirements in reviewing their continuity plans. Subsequently, an increasing amount of businesses are reportedly dedicated to continuity-related changes in 2020. Roughly 18 percent of companies are projected to implement new continuity software, while around 11 percent of them have expressed interest in revisiting existing systems to fine-tune persisting weaknesses or deficiencies. 

New, but familiar challenges

This year’s continuity plans are expected to face a variety of challenges that are far from unfamiliar, but have emerged as potential setbacks in a modern context. Among these factors: budgetary constraints and concerns regarding a potential lack of commitment to modern continuity ideals. The former has been pinpointed due to a projected increase in continuity-related expenditures (many of which are directly linked to points covered in the previous section), while the latter represents the timeless threat of complacency and reluctance to change. To brace for such obstacles, business leaders must work to establish a comprehensive, up-to-date continuity protocol that will be cost-effective, but also open to necessary investments to check inevitable change.  

Minor, but noticeable changes in recruiting

Changes in continuity have also led many businesses to revisit their security-based recruiting processes; the result is a slightly increased collective emphasis on such hiring, but one that remains rooted in finding and diligently maintaining top talent. This year, around 69 percent of businesses are expected to remain the same in this regard, but roughly 27 percent of others are reportedly focused on re-kindling their hiring efforts and expanding their continuity teams. With just a remaining 4 percent expecting regression, it is safe to say that 2020 is poised to be a major growth and emphasis year for proper continuity talent acquisition. Given the rapid rate of change in business technology — which itself has led to a consistently updated list of new threats and risks — this notion is refreshing.