When connected systems fail: The hidden risk of interoperability

“Failures no longer stop at the point of origin. They travel through the connected ecosystem.” – Von Gusa, Executive Advisor, GHD

Modern infrastructure depends on interoperability. From electricity networks and transport systems to financial services and telecommunications, interconnected systems allow organisations to operate at unprecedented scale, speed and efficiency.

But every connection also creates a new pathway for risk. As systems become more integrated, failures that were once isolated can now cascade across entire organisations, industries and even countries.

In this episode, Von Gusa joins Ben Hall, Global Thought Leadership Manager at GHD, to explore why interoperability has become a strategic leadership issue, what the Iberian Peninsula blackout reveals about systemic risk and how organisations can build resilience into increasingly connected systems.

• Interoperability is the invisible backbone that allows modern infrastructure systems to communicate and work together
• The greatest risks often sit between systems, in interfaces, handoffs and points of connection
• Failures that were once local can now cascade rapidly across interconnected networks
• Compliance alone does not guarantee resilience in increasingly complex operating environments
• Organisations that embed interoperability, governance and risk management throughout the asset lifecycle will be better positioned to manage future uncertainty
  
  

Explore the related Nexus weekly column: How to prevent your greatest asset from becoming your biggest risk