When we talk about cyber resilience, the conversation usually centers on technology: tools, platforms, automation. All of that matters. But when something goes wrong, those aren’t the things that determine how well an organization responds.
People are.
In this episode of STRIVE, I sat down with Dr. Jessica Barker, co-CEO of Cygenta and a leading expert on the human and psychological aspects of cybersecurity. I asked her to discuss a part of resilience that doesn’t always get enough attention – the human side.
What happens when pressure rises, when decisions have to be made quickly, and when teams are forced to work together in ways they may not be used to?
Watch the full episode to find out what she had to say.
Key Takeaways: What the Human Side Reveals
- Technology doesn’t fail alone – people and processes are always part of the outcome.
- Confidence under pressure comes from preparation, not instinct.
- Clear decision ownership helps reduce hesitation during incidents.
- Trust between teams helps accelerate response and recovery.
- Culture plays a measurable role in resilience – it’s not just tools or architecture.
When the Plan Meets Reality
Every organization has a plan. It’s documented, reviewed, and often approved at the highest levels. But the real test isn’t how that plan reads – it’s how it holds up when people are under pressure.
Because that’s when things change. Decisions don’t always follow the script. Communication isn’t always clean. Priorities shift in real time. And in those moments, resilience becomes less about process and more about behavior.
Sneak Peek: Cyber Resilience as a Cultural Norm
In this moment from the episode, Dr. Barker highlights the importance of aligning cybersecurity with organizational values. Rather than positioning security as a blocker, resilient organizations embed it into culture – as an enabler of productivity, positivity, and business growth.
The Role of Confidence
One of the most consistent themes in this conversation is confidence. Not confidence in the tools – confidence in the people using them.
Teams that perform well during incidents aren’t guessing. They’ve seen similar scenarios before. They’ve practiced. They understand how to respond, even when conditions aren’t ideal.
That confidence shows up in small ways with potentially faster decisions, clearer communication, and less second-guessing. And over time, those small differences can add up to a significantly stronger response.
Decision-Making Under Pressure
When something goes wrong, speed matters – but clarity matters more.
- Who can make decisions?
- What authority do they have?
- When should they escalate?
If those answers aren’t clear, teams hesitate. And hesitation creates gaps. One of the most important parts of resilience isn’t just defining processes – it’s defining decision ownership. When people know where they stand, they tend to act faster and with more confidence.
Trust Is the Multiplier
Technology can help enable better and faster responses, but trust can accelerate them. In most organizations, teams operate in their own lanes. Security focuses on threats, infrastructure focuses on systems, and operations focuses on recovery.
That separation works – until an incident forces everyone together. That’s where trust becomes critical. Teams that trust each other:
- Share information more freely.
- Collaborate more effectively.
- Focus on outcomes instead of ownership.
Without that trust, even well-designed processes can break down.
Why Preparation Still Matters
It’s easy to assume that strong individuals can carry a response. But even experienced teams rely on preparation, such as tabletop exercises, simulations, cross-team drills, and so on. They’re what build the muscle memory that teams rely on when real incidents occur. Without that preparation, even the most capable teams are forced to improvise.
Watch the Full Episode
In this episode of STRIVE, we explore:
- How human behavior impacts incident response.
- Why decision clarity matters under pressure.
- What separates confident teams from reactive ones.
- How culture influences recovery outcomes.
- Where organizations should focus to strengthen resilience.
If you’re thinking about resilience beyond technology, this is a conversation worth your time.
FAQs
Q: Why is the human side of resilience important?
A: Because technology alone doesn’t determine outcomes – people do. Their decisions, communications, and executions under pressure are the keys to success.
Q: What role does preparation play in resilience?
A: Preparation helps build confidence and muscle memory, allowing teams to respond more effectively in real scenarios.
Q: How does trust impact incident response?
A: Trust helps enable faster collaboration, clearer communication, and more efficient decision-making across teams.
Q: Why is decision ownership critical?
A: Without clear ownership, teams hesitate, which can slow response and increase risk.
Q: Can strong tools compensate for weak processes?
A: No. Tools support resilience, but without strong processes and alignment, they can’t deliver effective outcomes.
Q: Where should organizations start improving?
A: Focus on cross-team alignment, clear decision-making structures, and regular scenario-based testing.
Darren Thomson is Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, EMEA, at Commvault.
