When asked about the biggest threats their companies face, 51% employyes said cyber threats/attacks, 33% said massive tech failures and 33% said natural disaster, according to a recent survey from Fusion Risk Management
To address these threats most companies have written emergency preparedness plans, and the survey of 1,000 employees found this to be the case. Seventy-six have access to a written plan. Looking at specific events, 83% had plans for natural disasters, 65% for cyber threats, and 62% had plans for active shooter events.
When asked how often the emergency preparedness plans were updated the response is as follows:
- Annually -- 53%
- Not regularly tested or updated -- 28%
- Twice a year -- 9%
- Once every two years -- 6%
- Every three years -- 4%
Another method to prepare for emergencies is to use drills or simulations. The survey found that 76% of employees participated in natural disaster drills, while 43% were involved in active shooter drills and 28% experienced cyber attack simulations.
Even with all of these preparation methods available, the survey found that one in five employees say they received no emergency preparedness training at all.
Digging further into training, when asked what their company’s “Achilles heel” in emergency preparedness was they replied:
- Inadequate training for staff – 29%
- Insufficient communication during a crisis –26%
- Low awareness or buy-in from employees-- 25%
The survey did find that companies are trying to be better prepared for the future and are prioritizing risks. Fifty-six prioritize risks based on likelihood and impact.
