Managing Uncertainty

In this episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, Bryan Strawser, Principal and Chief Executive at Bryghtpath, explores key insights from the 2025 CrowdStrike Global Threat Report. He discusses how modern adversaries are behaving more like high-speed startups—leveraging generative AI, identity compromise, and sophisticated non-malware tactics to scale attacks quickly. With breakout times now averaging just 62 minutes, the threat landscape demands faster detection, tighter controls, and executive-level urgency. Bryan outlines critical shifts in adversary behavior, from the rise of ransomware-as-a-service to the increased use of AI for phishing and social engineering. He shares strategic takeaways for resilience and security leaders, …

In this episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, Bryan Strawser, Principal and Chief Executive at Bryghtpath, unpacks the key findings from the 2025 National Risk Study by Deloitte and NEMA. This nationwide assessment reveals the stark realities facing state emergency management agencies—rising disaster complexity, funding challenges, workforce gaps, and outdated systems. Bryan explores why these findings matter now more than ever and what leaders can do to turn risk into resilience. You’ll hear why strategic planning, modernization, and leadership investment are no longer optional in emergency management. Bryan breaks down the study’s four strategic imperatives and outlines practical steps resilience …

In this episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, Bryghtpath Principal & Chief Executive Bryan Strawser explores the operational, reputational, and strategic risks organizations face when a major cloud provider like AWS experiences an outage. Bryan breaks down why most companies are underprepared for large-scale cloud disruptions and what executive leaders must do differently to ensure continuity. He also outlines how cloud dependency should be treated as an enterprise risk—one that deserves board-level attention and investment. Bryan shares practical actions organizations can take to build greater resilience, from conducting robust Business Impact Analyses to testing real-world failover scenarios. He discusses how …

In this episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, Bryghtpath Principal & Chief Executive Bryan Strawser explores how to design and lead effective crisis or continuity exercises with your Board of Directors. These sessions are often filled with hesitation, but when approached with clarity and strategic framing, they become a powerful opportunity to build influence and drive alignment at the highest level of the organization. Bryan shares how to move beyond traditional tabletop exercises and instead facilitate a meaningful dialogue on risk, readiness, and executive decision-making. You’ll learn how to reframe exercises as strategic conversations, choose scenarios that matter to the …

In this episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, Bryan Strawser walks through ten high-impact crisis scenarios that organizations should prioritize in their tabletop exercises for 2025. From cyber extortion and data exfiltration to executive malfeasance and misinformation, these scenarios are drawn from real-world threats affecting the world’s leading companies. Bryan outlines how each scenario challenges leadership, disrupts operations, and demands cross-functional readiness. This episode is a strategic guide for resilience, business continuity, and crisis management professionals who want to build better exercises and strengthen organizational preparedness. Bryan also shares insight on compound crises—where multiple threats unfold at once—and why now …

In this episode, Bryan Strawser tackles one of the most frustrating patterns in resilience and continuity programs: the trap of check-the-box compliance. He unpacks how performative efforts that focus solely on documentation or audits undermine actual readiness and stall progress toward maturity. Bryan also explores the equally dangerous alternative—doing nothing—and why that’s no better. Instead, Bryan lays out a clear, actionable approach to building both capability and maturity without overcomplicating your program. From anchoring efforts in business value to leveraging influence across the organization, this episode offers practical guidance for moving forward—even when you’re not fully “ready.” If you’re stuck …

In this episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, Bryan Strawser of Bryghtpath explores the critical role of the Board of Directors during times of crisis. Boards are often looked to for leadership and assurance, but their responsibilities are frequently misunderstood. Bryan outlines how directors can provide strategic oversight without stepping into operational decision-making. Drawing on best practices from global standards and real-world examples, Bryan highlights how boards can support management teams, enable resources, and protect organizational reputation. He also examines common pitfalls that boards must avoid and offers practical guidance for engaging in crisis preparedness. Listeners will come away with …

Too many organizations treat crisis exercises as one-dimensional drills focused on ransomware and cybersecurity. While those scenarios are critical, they don’t prepare leaders for the full spectrum of disruptions that can impact operations, reputation, and people. In this episode, Bryan Strawser breaks down why your exercise program can’t live on cyber alone. He explores what’s missing when organizations over-index on ransomware, why exercising “other muscles” matters for true resilience, and how to build a balanced exercise program that strengthens decision-making, executive presence, and cross-functional coordination. If your crisis playbook feels stuck in a cyber-only loop, this episode is your roadmap …

Crisis exercises are meant to test decision-making and build organizational confidence. But too often, they fail because executives and other key players haven’t been trained on the crisis management framework. Instead of practicing decisions, the exercise gets bogged down in debates about the scenario or the process. In this episode, Bryan Strawser of Bryghtpath explains why training is preparation and exercising is practice. He shares the most common failure modes, the risks of skipping executive training, and practical steps to ensure your leaders are ready before the next exercise. By training first and then exercising, your team walks away with …

In this episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, Bryghtpath Principal & Chief Executive Bryan Strawser explores why training your team before an exercise is essential for success. Too often, organizations treat exercises as teaching moments rather than validation tools. The result is confusion, wasted time, and missed opportunities to truly measure resilience. Bryan explains how effective training sets the foundation for meaningful exercises that build confidence, competence, and muscle memory. He shares common pitfalls when training is skipped and offers practical steps to prepare teams before they walk into the room. By investing in training first, leaders ensure exercises deliver …