Resilience targeting is a strategic approach used to undermine the ability of individuals, communities, organizations, or even nations to recover from crises. This emerging threat often blends elements of disinformation, physical disruptions, and cyberattacks to destabilize recovery efforts and sow confusion, fear, and division. Resilience targeting goes beyond exploiting vulnerabilities and actively creates them, making it a powerful, low-cost, and difficult-to-counter tactic.
Resilience targeting has become increasingly relevant in today’s world, where hybrid threats blur the lines between state and non-state actors and between times of war and peace. Whether it’s a natural disaster, an economic disruption, or an attack on critical infrastructure, resilience targeting intensifies the fallout and prolongs recovery, often leaving long-lasting scars on the affected organizations, communities or systems.
Why is resilience targeting important?
In an time defined by rapid technological advancements, climate change, and geopolitical instability, resilience targeting has emerged as one of the most concerning threats. Let’s dive into why this tactic matters and why it deserves attention from security professionals, policymakers, and organizational leaders.
1. It disrupts recovery when it’s needed most
Resilience targeting takes aim at the moments when individuals and systems are most vulnerable: during and after a crisis. Whether through misinformation that erodes trust or cyberattacks that paralyze critical infrastructure, it undermines recovery efforts and compounds the chaos.
2. It blurs the lines between physical and digital risks
Resilience targeting often combines physical disruptions, such as natural disasters, with digital threats like cyberattacks or disinformation campaigns. This convergence of risks complicates response strategies, as organizations and communities must simultaneously manage threats in both the physical and virtual worlds.
3. It’s difficult to detect and combat
Unlike overt acts of aggression, resilience targeting is subtle and often goes unnoticed until the damage is done. By the time leaders recognize the coordinated nature of these threats, recovery efforts may already be compromised.
4. It erodes trust and divides communities
By spreading disinformation or sowing discord, resilience targeting erodes social cohesion and trust in institutions. This makes collective recovery and rebuilding efforts far more challenging.
How to identify and mitigate resilience targeting
Addressing resilience targeting requires proactive strategies that strengthen organizational, community, national, and international resilience. Here’s a step-by-step framework for identifying and mitigating this emerging threat:
Step 1: Understand the threat landscape
Begin by recognizing the hybrid nature of resilience targeting. Ask questions like:
- What vulnerabilities could be exploited during or after a crisis?
- How might physical disruptions (e.g., natural disasters) intersect with digital threats (e.g., misinformation or ransomware)?
Step 2: Build trust and communication networks
Strong, transparent communication channels are the first line of defense against disinformation and social division.
- Proactively share accurate, consistent information during crises.
- Foster partnerships with local communities, government agencies, and private-sector organizations to ensure coordinated responses.
Step 3: Invest in critical infrastructure resilience
Resilience targeting often exploits weaknesses in physical and digital infrastructure. To counteract this:
- Regularly audit and test systems, including cybersecurity measures.
- Implement response playbooks and contingency plans for critical services like power, communications, and data storage.
Step 4: Leverage scenario planning
Use scenario-based exercises to model out potential resilience targeting events and their ramifications. For example:
- How would a coordinated cyberattack and misinformation campaign impact your crisis response?
- What steps could you take to maintain trust and continuity?
Step 5: Educate and train teams
Awareness is key. Equip your workforce, leadership, and community with the tools they need to recognize and respond to resilience targeting:
- Use Microsimulations to train teams on responding to hybrid threats.
- Teach media literacy and critical thinking to help individuals identify and dismiss disinformation.
Step 6: Monitor and adapt
The nature of resilience targeting is ever-evolving. Implement systems to monitor threats in real time and adjust response strategies accordingly:
- Leverage AI tools to detect emerging disinformation trends.
- Conduct regular after-action reviews to improve future responses.
Real-world examples of resilience targeting
Disinformation campaigns after natural disasters: After hurricanes or wildfires, false information about evacuation centers, aid distribution, or relief funds can sow chaos, delay recovery, and increase casualties. As one example, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in 2024, a significant amount of misinformation spread online, complicating relief efforts. False claims included accusations that FEMA was diverting disaster relief funds to support undocumented immigrants, leading to confusion and mistrust among affected populations. These rumors hindered the efficiency of aid distribution and created additional challenges for emergency responders.
Cyberattacks on critical infrastructure: In the wake of an earthquake, ransomware attacks on healthcare systems or power grids can cripple response efforts, leaving communities in prolonged states of crisis. In 2024, cyberattacks on U.S. utilities surged by nearly 70% compared to the previous year. These attacks targeted critical infrastructure, including power grids and water systems, exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated software and increasing digital interconnectivity. While no U.S. utility was completely crippled, experts warned that a coordinated cyberattack could cause severe disruptions and financial losses, especially during natural disasters when these services are most needed.
Misinformation to undermine trust: Disinformation campaigns during the COVID-19 pandemic eroded public trust in health measures, complicating recovery efforts and prolonging the impact of the crisis. A notable global example of misinformation undermining public trust during the COVID-19 pandemic was the widespread false claim that 5G technology contributes to the spread of the virus. This conspiracy theory led to real-world consequences, including attacks on telecommunications infrastructure in multiple countries. For instance, in the United Kingdom, numerous 5G towers were vandalized, and telecom workers faced harassment due to these unfounded beliefs. The spread of such misinformation not only diverted attention from effective public health measures but also caused significant disruptions in communication services, further complicating pandemic response efforts.
Why resilience targeting requires our attention
Resilience targeting is a wake-up call for organizations and communities worldwide. The ability to recover after a crisis has always been a critical component of survival, but in today’s complex landscape of hybrid threats, recovery is increasingly under attack.
Addressing resilience targeting means thinking beyond traditional crisis management. It requires a shift toward adaptability, preparedness, and trust-building, ensuring that recovery efforts are protected, efficient, and equitable. By investing in these areas, organizations and communities can turn resilience from a vulnerability into a competitive advantage.
As we continue to experience fast-paced change and uncertainty, resilience targeting reminds us of the importance of collaboration, innovation, and preparation. It challenges us to not only recover from crises but to emerge stronger, more unified, and better equipped to face the challenges ahead.
About iluminr
iluminr is at the forefront of helping organizations build resilience in the face of hybrid threats. With tools like Microsimulations, playbooks, and mass communication capabilities, iluminr enables teams to practice, prepare, and adapt for disruption. Trusted by leading organizations around the world, iluminr is your partner in navigating the complexities of digital and physical risks.