[OR] [RBI] [e2] Chapter 4: Integration with ORM

Chapter 4: Integration with ORM: Strengthening Operational Risk Management through OR Mapping and Dependency Management

This chapter delves into the critical connection between Operational Risk Management (ORM) and Operational Resilience (OR) mapping and managing dependencies within financial institutions.

The chapter emphasizes that a comprehensive ORM framework is incomplete without a deep understanding of the interconnections and dependencies within an organization’s operations. By mapping these dependencies, financial institutions can identify potential vulnerabilities and risks that may not be apparent through traditional risk assessments.

This integration ensures that ORM processes are more holistic, enabling institutions to proactively address risks arising from internal and external dependencies.

Effective ORM depends on a deep understanding of the risks that arise from various internal and external dependencies. Integrating mapping and dependency management plays a crucial role in strengthening ORM frameworks.

How OR Mapping and Dependency Management Strengthen ORM

Mapping critical operations and managing dependencies are vital steps in enhancing the robustness of an institution's ORM framework.

Institutions can better anticipate and mitigate operational risks by identifying and understanding an organisation's intricate interconnections between processes, people, technology, and third parties.

Comprehensive Risk Identification

• Mapping allows institutions to identify critical operations and the dependencies that support them.
• By doing so, they can uncover potential risk points that might have been overlooked in traditional risk assessments.
• This ensures a more comprehensive risk identification process, capturing risks related to internal processes, external vendors, and macro-environmental factors.

Enhanced Risk Mitigation

• Once dependencies are mapped, institutions can implement targeted risk mitigation strategies. For example, suppose a critical operation relies heavily on a specific third-party service provider.
• In that case, the institution can develop contingency plans, negotiate more robust service-level agreements (SLAs), or diversify its vendor base.
• These proactive steps reduce the likelihood and impact of disruptions, strengthening the overall ORM framework.

Improved Scenario Analysis

• Dependency mapping also supports more accurate scenario analysis and stress testing.
• By understanding the interdependencies within their operations, institutions can simulate the potential impact of various disruptive events, such as cyberattacks, supply chain disruptions, or natural disasters.
• This enables them to better prepare for such scenarios and develop more effective response strategies.

Real-Time Risk Monitoring

• With a clear understanding of dependencies, institutions can establish real-time monitoring systems to track critical operations and their supporting elements.
• This allows for early detection of potential issues, enabling institutions to respond swiftly and prevent minor disruptions from escalating into major operational failures.

Aligning ORM and OR Strategies

The relationship between ORM and Operational Resilience (OR) is symbiotic, with both strategies working together to ensure the institution's stability and continuity.

Aligning ORM and OR strategies through effective mapping and dependency management creates a cohesive framework that addresses risk prevention and response.

Shared Objectives

• Both ORM and OR aim to protect the institution from operational failures, but they approach this goal from different angles.
• ORM focuses on identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks, while OR emphasizes the institution's ability to withstand and recover from disruptions.
• By aligning these objectives, institutions can create a unified approach that addresses risk at every stage—from prevention to recovery.

Holistic Risk Management

• Integration ensures that ORM and OR are not siloed functions but part of a holistic risk management strategy.
• This approach allows institutions to view risk management and resilience as continuous processes, with lessons learned from operational disruptions feeding back into risk assessments and mitigation efforts.
• This continuous feedback loop strengthens the institution's overall risk posture.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Aligning ORM and OR strategies requires collaboration across various functions within the institution, including risk management, operations, IT, and business units.
• This cross-functional collaboration fosters a culture of risk awareness and resilience, ensuring that all parts of the organization work together to manage and mitigate risks effectively.

Strategic Decision-Making

• When ORM and OR strategies are aligned, institutions can make more informed decisions about resource allocation, technology investments, and business continuity planning.
• This ensures that risk management and resilience efforts are prioritised per the institution's overall strategic objectives.

Summing Up ... Final Thoughts

By integrating OR mapping and dependency management into their ORM frameworks, financial institutions can enhance their ability to identify and mitigate risks while strengthening their resilience to operational disruptions.

This alignment of ORM and OR strategies ensures that institutions are well-prepared to navigate the complex and ever-evolving landscape of financial operations, ultimately safeguarding their stability and long-term success.

More Information About Blended Learning OR-5000 [OR-5] or OR-300 [OR-3]

To learn more about the course and schedule, click the buttons below for the OR-3 Blended Learning OR-300 Operational Resilience Implementer course and the OR-5 Blended Learning OR-5000 Operational Resilience Expert Implementer course.