Released in October 2024, the BCI Crisis Management Report for 2024 is packed full of eye-opening information and insight that you can implement to improve your crisis response and operational resilience.
The 68-page far reaching report shines a spotlight on the latest trends, changes and challenges facing businesses when it comes to crisis management. To save you the time of diving into the details and finding the critical information, we've analysed this comprehensive report and pulled out 5 key takeaways for you to absorb.
- Increasing Crisis Activations Reflect Growing Threat Landscape
- Centralised and Hybrid Crisis Management Structures Dominate
- Training and Crisis Plan Awareness Need Improvement
- Adoption of Virtual Crisis Rooms and AI for Enhanced Response
- Post-Incident Reviews Drive Continuous Improvement
The report also surfaces the continuation of a concerning trend which we reflect on - the use of free messaging apps as a crisis response tool, despite the risks they present to security and privacy.
Takeaway 1
Increasing Crisis Activations Reflect Growing Threat Landscape
In 2024, the frequency of crisis team activations increased, with 75.1% of organisations activating their crisis management teams at least once. Factors like extreme weather, cyber-attacks, third-party failures, and civil unrest were leading causes.
This surge highlights the importance of comprehensive and adaptable crisis management platform complete with plans that can respond to a diverse set of threats.
Takeaway 2
Centralised and Hybrid Crisis Management Structures Dominate
Centralised crisis management structures remain the most popular approach, with a growing number of organisations (45.9%) using them to streamline decision-making.
The report also indicates a rise in hybrid structures, which allow local business units some autonomy while maintaining central oversight. This combination is increasingly seen as effective, balancing local responsiveness with organisational control. A concept at the very heart of Sentinel Spaces
Takeaway 3
Training and Crisis Plan Awareness Need Improvement
Despite a focus on crisis preparedness, challenges persist with staff awareness of crisis plans and adequate training. A notable 30.1% of respondents reported that staff lack awareness of crisis plans, and 27% said team members are insufficiently trained.
Increasing investment in regular training and cross-departmental drills will be key in bridging these gaps in 2025.
Takeaway 4
Adoption of Virtual Crisis Rooms and AI for Enhanced Response
Technology is playing a critical role in crisis response, with virtual crisis rooms adopted by 25% of organisations and widely praised for improved internal efficiency.
AI is also gaining traction, particularly for real-time monitoring, data analysis, and predictive insights, though concerns around biases and ethical considerations suggest a cautious approach to its adoption.
Takeaway 5
Post-Incident Reviews Drive Continuous Improvement
Reflective practices, such as post-incident reviews (PIRs), are becoming standard, with 46.4% of organisations conducting PIRs after every incident.
These reviews, increasingly supported by senior leadership, help organisations embed lessons learned into future responses, strengthening overall resilience and refining crisis management strategies.
This BCI Crisis Management Report 2024 underscores the need for adaptive, well-resourced crisis management frameworks that blend technology with structured human response to navigate the complexities of today’s threat landscape.
Addressing the Risks of Free Messaging Platforms in Crisis Response
In reading the report, we observed that free messaging platforms continue to be a core tool used in crisis events - WhatsApp, Telegram or Facebook Messenger. While these platforms offer convenience and familiarity, their use in a crisis response setting introduces significant risks around data security, privacy, and reliability.
Free messaging platforms lack the robust security features required for sensitive crisis communications. Without end-to-end control, organisations face increased exposure to data leaks, unauthorised access, and compliance breaches, particularly as these platforms store data on external servers. In high-stakes crisis situations, such lapses could lead to further reputational damage and legal repercussions. Moreover, many free messaging tools are not equipped to handle the complex demands of real-time coordination, potentially hindering response effectiveness.
This concerning usage trend reinforces the urgent need for organisations to transition from ad hoc communication methods to secure, purpose-built crisis management platforms like Sentinel PiNG and Sentinel Spaces. Adopting these specialised tools enables organisations to maintain control over sensitive information, ensure compliance with data protection standards, and enhance overall operational resilience.
Cover Photo by Jakub Żerdzicki on Unsplash
