Building Resilience: A Strategic Imperative for Government Agencies

Jul 2

Organizational resilience is the ability of an organization to absorb and adapt to disruptions while maintaining critical operations. State and local governments face a constantly evolving threat landscape, demanding a proactive approach to building organizational resilience.

Cybersecurity Threats

In today’s digital age, cyberattacks pose a significant risk to government operations. The most recent data from the federal government counted over 30,000 cyber security incidents on its agencies in 2022. Public agencies, whether federal, state, or local, remain a prime target for cyber incidents like distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, often used to cripple online systems. Governments that lack robust cybersecurity measures, including system backups, redundancy plans, and offline procedures, face potential paralysis in the event of an attack. This can disrupt critical services and erode public trust.

Physical Emergencies

The frequency and intensity of natural disasters are also on the rise. According to a recent study, the number of wildfires burning ten million acres or more has increased by 800% since the 1980s. Floods are becoming more frequent and severe as well. Extreme temperature events, including heat waves and cold snaps, also pose significant threats to public health and infrastructure. These emergencies strain government resources, requiring a surge in service delivery while government staff and physical assets are also compromised. For example, wildfires and flows necessitate increased deployment of first responders, demand coordination with utility companies to restore power and telephony. Local governments may also need to collaborate with state and federal agencies to secure additional resources and support during a crisis.

Social Disruptions

There are a wide range of challenges that can strain government resources and disrupt the social and economic well-being of communities. The COVID-19 pandemic serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of public health systems. Any economic downturn can exacerbate social inequality, while climate change can trigger both public health crises and mass migration. This complex interplay of factors underscores the need for a holistic approach to resilience.

The 4-A Framework: Building a Resilient Foundation

BRONNER understands the critical importance of organizational resilience in the public sector. For over three decades, BRONNER has helped state and local governments navigate complex situations and emerge stronger. BRONNER’s 4-A Organizational Resiliency and Optimization Strategy is designed to address the unique needs of public entities, equipping them to not only weather storms, but also thrive in the face of adversity.

BRONNER’s 4-A Strategy focuses on four key pillars:

Adapt: Increased productivity and improved access to resources.
Assess: Enhanced understanding and improved preparedness.
Accelerate: Emergency protocols and strategic optimization.
Achieve: Accountability and risk management across key structures.

Beyond the Framework: Building Blocks for Success

Within this framework, BRONNER offers a comprehensive suite of services designed to empower government agencies to build resilience across all levels of operation. These services include:

Strategic Assessments and Planning: Identifying vulnerabilities and developing actionable plans to mitigate risks and enhance preparedness.
Business Continuity Planning: Creating a roadmap to ensure essential services continue during and after disruptive events.
Recovery Grant Accountability: Providing expert guidance to manage and account for recovery funds effectively and transparently.
Grant Management Services: Optimizing the deployment of grant funding to achieve desired outcomes.

By adopting a holistic approach to building resilience, state and local governments will not only safeguard critical infrastructure and data but also ensure they are prepared to meet the increased demands for services during emergencies. This proactive approach strengthens public trust, strengthens communities, ensures an equitable crisis response, and ultimately leads to a more resilient and responsive government.

Partnering for Resilience

BRONNER’s commitment to building resilient government agencies is reflected in its clients’ successful experiences. Leverage BRONNER’s expertise and proven track record to develop a customized plan that strengthens an organization’s ability to weather any storm.

Contact BRONNER to learn more about the 4-A Organizational Resiliency and Optimization Strategy.