Leveraging ISO 22336 to Support Operational Resilience with GRC Frameworks

In an increasingly volatile world where disruptions are the norm, organizations must prioritize operational resilience to ensure business continuity, safeguard stakeholder interests, and maintain regulatory compliance. One global benchmark for resilience is ISO 22336, the international standard designed to guide organizations in building a robust resilience and continuity framework. When paired with a Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) platform, ISO 22336 becomes a powerful tool to operationalize resilience across enterprises.

The Intersection of ISO 22336 and GRC

ISO 22336 emphasizes the importance of ensuring supply chain resilience to guard against disruptions such as cyberattacks, geopolitical instability, pandemics, and natural disasters. This standard advocates a holistic approach to resilience, spanning risk identification, assessment, mitigation, and communication. However, operationalizing ISO 22336 requires more than theoretical understanding; it demands an integrated framework that connects policies, processes, and outcomes.

This is where GRC platforms shine. Governance, Risk, and Compliance systems are designed to unify an organization's compliance, risk management, and governance functions into a centralized hub. GRC platforms provide the tools necessary to:

1. Streamline Policy Management – ISO 22336 specifies the need for clear policies related to continuity and security. GRC solutions help automate the creation, dissemination, and monitoring of these policies.
2. Standardize Risk Assessment and Mitigation – Through a GRC platform, organizations can integrate ISO 22336-aligned risk assessment tools that assess vulnerabilities in operations and automate risk treatment plans.
3. Enable Real-Time Threat Monitoring – Threats evolve rapidly, requiring continuous monitoring and adaptation. GRC platforms incorporate advanced analytics and threat intelligence capabilities to align with ISO 22336's dynamic risk identification requirements.
4. Enhance Regulatory and Contractual Compliance – GRC ensures that organizations meet regulatory mandates and contractual obligations, core tenets of ISO 22336, by providing automated controls and audit capabilities.
5. Facilitate Communication and Coordination – Resilience hinges on effective communication. GRC platforms centralize collaboration tools to align with ISO 22336’s emphasis on stakeholder coordination and supply chain transparency.

ISO 22336 Principles Operationalized Through GRC

To understand how ISO 22336 can be effectively supported by GRC, let’s break down key principles of the standard and their practical application through a GRC lens:

• Risk-Based Thinking: ISO 22336 requires organizations to adopt a proactive approach to identifying and mitigating risks in operations. GRC platforms help operationalize this by embedding risk assessment processes into daily operations, enabling the prioritization of risks based on their potential impact.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Building resilience requires engaging internal and external stakeholders. GRC solutions allow companies to map stakeholders, define roles, and track accountability, ensuring ISO 22336-aligned collaboration and governance.
• Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) Cycle: The PDCA model within ISO standards is mirrored in the workflows of GRC platforms. These systems support iterative planning, execution, monitoring, and improvement of resilience measures, ensuring continual alignment with ISO 22336.
• Document Management and Reporting: Compliance with ISO 22336 requires meticulous documentation and reporting of resilience practices. GRC tools automate document management and generate real-time compliance reports for audits or stakeholder review.

Operational Resilience Beyond Compliance

While ISO 22336 and GRC platforms provide a solid foundation for operational resilience, organizations must view these tools as enablers of strategic growth rather than merely compliance obligations. Operational resilience extends beyond risk management; it incorporates adaptability, agility, and innovation to navigate disruptions while creating competitive advantage.

GRC platforms aligned with ISO 22336 principles empower organizations to:

1. Enhance Decision-Making: With centralized data and insights, leaders can make informed decisions in response to disruptions.
2. Build Trust with Stakeholders: A resilient organization assures stakeholders—customers, regulators, and investors—of its ability to sustain operations despite uncertainties.
3. Strengthen Corporate Reputation: Operational resilience positions an organization as reliable and forward-thinking, enhancing its market reputation.
4. Drive Innovation: By addressing vulnerabilities and inefficiencies, resilience efforts can reveal opportunities for process improvement and innovation.

OpResONE, Inc.: A Trusted Partner for ISO 22336 & GRC Alignment

Implementing ISO 22336 with the support of a GRC platform requires expertise in resilience strategy, compliance requirements, and technology integration. This is where OpResONE, Inc. excels. As a leader in operational resilience advisory services, OpResONE helps organizations across industries bridge the gap between theoretical standards and actionable frameworks.

OpResONE’s Support for ISO 22336 and GRC Integration

1. Gap Analysis: OpResONE conducts thorough assessments to evaluate existing resilience practices against ISO 22336 requirements, identifying gaps and opportunities for improvement.
2. Customized Implementation Roadmaps: Every organization is unique, and OpResONE crafts tailored roadmaps for ISO 22336 implementation, ensuring alignment with specific business objectives.
3. Technology Integration: OpResONE’s team of experts assists organizations in selecting, deploying, and optimizing GRC platforms to operationalize ISO 22336 principles effectively.
4. Training and Stakeholder Engagement: Building operational resilience requires cultural change. OpResONE provides comprehensive training programs to embed resilience thinking into organizational culture and facilitate stakeholder collaboration.
5. Continuous Improvement: OpResONE emphasizes the importance of continual improvement, helping organizations adapt to evolving risks and standards.

The Path Forward

ISO 22336 provides a valuable framework for building operational resilience, but true resilience requires seamless integration into an organization’s daily operations. Governance, Risk, and Compliance platforms bring this vision to life by automating and unifying critical processes, enabling organizations to not only comply with standards but also thrive in the face of disruption.

OpResONE, Inc. stands ready to guide organizations on this journey, offering unmatched expertise in operational resilience strategy, ISO 22336 implementation, and GRC integration. With OpResONE’s support, organizations can turn compliance into a competitive advantage, ensuring long-term sustainability and success.

For more information about OpResONE’s advisory services and how we can help your organization achieve ISO 22336 compliance and operational resilience, contact us at OpResONE, Inc.. Let’s build a resilient future together.