Managing Uncertainty

In this insightful episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, Bryan Strawser of Bryghtpath explores the emerging role of the Chief Resilience Officer (CRO) as a strategic asset within organizations. Drawing from Mark Nevins’ article in Forbes, Bryan delves into the transformative potential of appointing a CRO to proactively manage a broad spectrum of risks, from geopolitical upheavals to cyber threats. He discusses how embedding this role into the executive team can align risk management with business objectives, fortifying organizational resilience and enhancing stakeholder trust. Bryan also highlights the tangible benefits and challenges of this evolving position. He examines the responsibilities …

In this insightful episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, Bryan Strawser, Principal and Chief Executive at Bryghtpath, delves into the intricacies of building a resilient organization. Drawing from his extensive experience and the strategic insights of Roger Martin’s “strategy choice cascade,” Bryan presents a straightforward approach to resilience, business continuity, crisis management, and IT disaster recovery. He emphasizes the importance of aligning these efforts with organizational goals to enhance team effectiveness and create a future-proof business. Bryan guides listeners through the essential questions that form the backbone of a resilience roadmap. From defining a winning aspiration to determining how to …

In this episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, Bryan Strawser, principal and Chief Executive at Bryghtpath, delves into the transformative power of crisis management exercises. He discusses the essential role these exercises play in honing decision-making skills under pressure and building robust crisis processes within organizations. Through a spectrum of exercises, from low-stress tabletops to immersive full-scale simulations, Bryan emphasizes the importance of practicing in a safe environment to foster muscle memory and expertise. Bryan highlights the strategic roadmap for implementing crisis exercises, urging organizations to initiate their crisis and continuity tabletop exercise journey by 2025. He shares insights on …

In this insightful episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, host Bryan Strawser of Bryghtpath discusses the critical importance of conducting tabletop and simulation exercises with your key vendors and partners. Bryan emphasizes that these exercises not only identify vulnerabilities but also help align expectations, ensuring that every stakeholder understands their role in a crisis. Through real-world examples, including a cybersecurity breach simulation, Bryan illustrates how collaborative preparation can enhance communication, build trust, and ultimately strengthen crisis management capabilities. Bryan highlights the numerous benefits of practicing with external stakeholders, such as outside counsel and forensics firms, to improve resilience and reduce …

In this episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, host Bryan Strawser, principal and Chief Executive at Bryghtpath, delves into the critical importance of strategic alignment in crisis management. Drawing from nearly three decades of experience, Bryan emphasizes the necessity of a unified approach to handling crises, whether it’s a cybersecurity breach or a natural disaster. He explains how a consistent crisis management process is essential for C-suite leaders and outlines the pitfalls of a siloed approach, which can derail effective crisis responses. Bryan explores two pathways to achieving strategic alignment: a top-down approach led by the C-suite and a bottom-up …

In this episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, Bryan Strawser, Principal and Chief Executive at Bryghtpath, dives into the pressing challenges facing today’s security leaders. Joined by insights from Maya Kaczorowski, Bryan explores findings from a tl;dr sec article based on interviews with over 50 Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). They discuss the overwhelming vendor landscape, the intricacies of access management, and the struggle with vulnerability overload, providing a comprehensive look at the hurdles that shape current cybersecurity strategies. The episode delves into the complexities of SaaS logging, the ambiguity surrounding asset ownership, and the critical communication barriers between security …

In this episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, Bryan Strawser, Principal and CEO at Bryghtpath, discusses insights from the Business Continuity Institute’s Annual Crisis Management Report. He points out a worrying trend: 29% of employees don’t know their organization’s crisis plans, highlighting the need for better communication and training. Bryan talks about how organizational silos can harm crisis response and stresses the importance of a collaborative approach involving all employees. He also looks at the changing landscape of crisis management, noting that cyber incidents and reputational risks are now major threats. Bryan emphasizes the need for regular training and simulations …

In this gripping episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, host Bryan Strawser delves into the tragic assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The shocking event underscores the urgent need for organizations to adopt robust executive protection strategies and crisis management plans. Bryan explores five key areas crucial for enhancing executive safety and ensuring organizational resilience, from threat monitoring and intelligence to comprehensive crisis management planning. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the importance of maintaining transparent communication and providing psychological support to employees in the aftermath of traumatic events. Bryan emphasizes the necessity of reputation management, particularly when public scrutiny …

In this episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, host Bryan Strawser, principal and Chief Executive at Bryghtpath, delves into the consistent themes observed during crisis management and business continuity exercises conducted over the past year. Bryan emphasizes the importance of enhancing communication and notification systems, ensuring that teams are well-versed in necessary procedures, and recognizing the critical role of clear documentation. Listeners will gain insights into the significance of stakeholder management, proactive response planning, and effective information sharing. Bryan also explores the necessity of clear ownership of documentation and the need for well-defined roles and responsibilities during crises, particularly concerning …

In this episode of the Managing Uncertainty Podcast, Bryan Strawser from Bryghtpath delves into the critical elements of leading an effective initial crisis management meeting. Whether faced with a natural disaster, data breach, or reputational issue, Bryan emphasizes the importance of fostering collaboration and informed decision-making. He introduces listeners to the concept of situational awareness, ensuring that all team members understand the scope of the incident from the outset. Bryan provides a detailed blueprint for structuring the first crisis meeting, highlighting key roles such as the incident leader and subject matter experts. He discusses the importance of having a standard …