We’re just four months into 2017, but for many, the year has already seemed like an eternity. The U.S. has certainly experienced a lot of news and tension since January 1, leaving many individuals and businesses with a general sense of uncertainty about the future.
It’s certainly an interesting time for crisis management planning. As the nation—and the globe—undergoes some significant changes, it can be challenging to plan for the unexpected. However, recognizing some of the newest emerging threats is the first step toward keeping your organization protected during these hectic times. Let’s explore three of the top emerging threats that are impacting crisis management planning in 2017:
1. Cyberattacks and data breaches are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
Each year, the number of cyberattacks and data breaches grows. And as their numbers rise, cybercriminals and hackers are using increasingly sophisticated techniques to gain access to valuable data from individuals, businesses, and even government agencies. This makes cybersecurity and associated crisis planning more important than ever.
In 2016 alone, some of the top breaches included the compromise of 1 billion Yahoo user accounts, the hacking of the Democratic National Committee, and a massive distributed denial-of-service attack that left millions of users unable to access popular sites such as Twitter and Netflix for an entire day.
The consequences of such breaches are becoming ever more serious. Even if your organization has been insulated from cybercrime in the past, now is the time to incorporate it into your crisis planning. Because it’s probably only a matter of time before you’re impacted as well.
2. Political tensions are having far-reaching consequences.
Around the globe, heightened levels of political tension are raising the stakes for organizations of all kinds. For example, heated social-policy issues, such as transgender rights, have impacted a variety of companies. Target, which prides itself on inclusiveness, offers gender-neutral bathroom options and is facing a boycott because of its policy. Meanwhile, North Carolina has lost millions in revenue due to its “bathroom bill” over the last few years—proof that taking a stand, in one direction or the other, can have incredible consequences for any business or agency.
Since January, the new presidential administration has caused its own shockwaves. From shaking up relations with foreign governments to tweeting about corporations like Ford and Nordstrom, President Trump and his team have created new challenges—and even the occasional opportunity—for U.S. businesses. There is always some degree of uncertainty during the changeover to a new presidential administration; however, this transition is arguably more volatile than most.
For a growing number of organizations, crisis management planning must now also account for these types of broader political forces. This is particularly true for B2C companies, because they deal directly with the public and are likelier to face negative publicity, boycotts, and so on.
3. Online news (and fake news) has the power to spread like wildfire.
In the era of the 24-hour news cycle, people have anytime/anywhere access to every nugget of information that interests them. Unfortunately, this includes negative articles, customer complaints, and speculation about your company—all of which can spread like wildfire on social media.
Meanwhile, fake news has emerged as a powerful and, at times, dangerous tool for various subgroups. Today, anyone could create a video or article that implicates your company and, even if the information is completely false, it may go viral and have a serious impact on your organization.
Consider the case of Planned Parenthood, which found itself in the midst of an unprecedented controversy in 2015 when an anti-abortion group released undercover video of Planned Parenthood officials allegedly discussing illegal and grossly immoral activities.
The videos were later proven to be doctored, but in the meantime, the damage had been done. Donations to the group tanked, while members of Congress attempted to push through various bills to strip the group of federal funding. In several states, other family planning groups had their state funding withdrawn completely.
This is just one example of how fake news can have a very real impact on an organization, its clients or customers, and overall public perception. In cases like this, the group that is being targeted requires a very thorough crisis management program that is robust enough to respond to the fast-moving nature of viral news.
Cybercrime, politics, and the nature of news and online content are all evolving at a breakneck pace—and having a significant impact on organizations in every industry. Faced with these and other emerging threats in 2017 and beyond, how prepared is your own business to handle a potential crisis?
