23 Jun Resilience By Design: Filling The Gaps In Asset Protection

Good business has always been governed by a pre-emptive approach to risk reduction.

From the renowned R&D teams driving new innovations in Silicon Valley’s famous start-ups, to DNOs proactively protecting assets from flood risks, the businesses that are truly prepared for tomorrow are the ones investing in a resilient approach today.

But let’s take a step back.

Focussing on flood risk and resilience in particular, it’s clear that achieving true asset resilience requires two things: firstly, an understanding of exactly what resilience means in practical terms for DNOs and secondly, a shift in mind-set.

See, although things are changing, there is still some confusion surrounding the concepts of protection and resilience and, more importantly, their fundamental differences.

And this distinction is an important one to make.

Resilience By Design

Protection is all about defence. It’s sole concern is shielding assets from damage.

It isn’t concerned with the worst-case scenario, business continuity or quick, cost-effective disaster recovery, because it is designed to prevent the worst-case scenario from happening in the first place.

But some things simply cannot be prevented, and those with the humility and wisdom to accept this truth are the ones better positioned to become resilient and minimise damage.

Floods happen. Transformers leak. Compounds can be compromised. These are uncomfortable but important truths.

What is important here is that DNOs have the wisdom to accept this and take steps to factor it into their asset protection efforts, from day one.

Practically, this means properly lining bunds to make them easy to clean if an oil leak does happen. It means installing mitigation measures to prevent or at least minimise downtime when flooding occurs. It means limiting the effects of any environmental damage that could affect RIIO rankings.

By working this mitigation into your asset resilience strategy by design, you move beyond compliance and industry best practice. You move toward stronger profit margins and reduced risks of fines and reputational damage.

You move toward a business that is resilient to crises, today and tomorrow.