As we enter 2025, organisations face an increasingly complex risk landscape. Cybersecurity threats, natural disasters, and incoming compliance requirements like DORA and Martyn’s Law demand robust strategies for maintaining operational resilience. At the heart of these strategies lies a critical but often overlooked tool: out-of-band communications software.
Out-of-band communications provides you an independent, secure channel for critical communication during disruptions. Here’s how this technology can help your organisation strengthen its resilience in the year ahead.
1. Ensuring Continuity Through Redundancy
Disruptions often impact primary communication systems, whether through network outages, cyberattacks, or infrastructure failures. Out-of-band communications software ensures your organisation can maintain contact with key stakeholders during these critical moments. With failover infrastructure and access to independent networks, out-of-band solutions keep your operations running, even when primary systems go down.
Example: A ransomware attack cripples your organisation’s email and internal chat systems. Out-of-band communication allows your crisis response team to coordinate without relying on compromised systems, ensuring a faster recovery.
2. Enhancing Security for Sensitive Communications
Data breaches and insider threats remain significant concerns for organisations in 2025. Out-of-band communication platforms offer advanced security features, including end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, and strict access controls. These measures protect sensitive information, ensuring critical communications are safe from prying eyes.
Why it matters: Regulatory bodies like the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the SEC are increasing scrutiny on communication practices, especially in industries handling sensitive data. Out-of-band software helps meet these expectations while safeguarding your organisation’s reputation.
3. Supporting Multi-Channel Communication
Resilience depends on the ability to reach the right people at the right time, using the most effective channels. Out-of-band communications platforms, like Sentinel Spaces, support multi-channel alerting, including SMS, email, voice calls, and push notifications. This flexibility ensures your messages are received, even when certain channels are compromised.
Key benefit: Two-way communication capabilities enable real-time updates and responses, ensuring that decision-makers stay informed and teams remain coordinated during a crisis.
4. Providing Offline Access to Critical Information
When networks are down, having offline access to essential documents, contact directories, and procedures can be a lifesaver. Leading out-of-band platforms allow users to download and securely store this information on their devices, ensuring that teams can act decisively, even in the absence of connectivity.
Real-world application: During a natural disaster, an organisation’s response team accesses evacuation plans and stakeholder contact lists stored offline, enabling swift and informed action.
5. Simplifying Compliance and Audit Trails
Incoming regulations like DORA and Martyn’s Law require your organisation to demonstrate robust crisis communication capabilities. Out-of-band platforms provide detailed audit trails of all communications, ensuring transparency and accountability during incidents. These records are invaluable for post-incident reviews and regulatory reporting.
Proactive advantage: Organisations can use these insights to refine their crisis management strategies, fostering continuous improvement.
6. Building Organisational Awareness and Preparedness
Out-of-band communication software isn’t just for emergencies. Many platforms, like Sentinel, support crisis simulations and training exercises. These features help teams familiarise themselves with the tools, identify gaps in existing processes, and build confidence in their crisis response capabilities.
Long-term impact: Regular use of out-of-band software in simulations ensures that teams are ready to act swiftly and effectively when a real crisis arises.
Conclusion
In 2025, resilience is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. Out-of-band communications software empowers organisations to maintain operational continuity, protect sensitive information, and meet evolving compliance demands. By investing in a robust platform, you’re not just preparing for the unexpected—you’re building a foundation for long-term success.
Are you ready to strengthen your organisation’s resilience? Explore how Sentinel’s out-of-band communications solutions can help you stay connected when it matters most.
