Top challenges of adopting SaaS Resilience Platforms (and how to solve them)

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Adopting a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) based resilience and incident management platform can significantly boost an organisation’s ability to respond to disruption, improve continuity, and drive long-term operational value. But implementation isn’t always straightforward.

From cultural resistance to integration hurdles and proving Return On Investment (ROI), many organisations face common obstacles on the road to adoption. In this article, we unpack those challenges—and show how leading businesses are overcoming them, achieving full return on investment in as little as six months.

1. Change Management & User Adoption

The Challenge:
Teams may be entrenched in manual processes, spreadsheets, or outdated systems. New platforms can be seen as “yet another tool,” leading to resistance and low uptake.

The Solution:

• Engage stakeholders early and explain the why.
• Offer targeted training, not generic walkthroughs.
• Appoint internal champions to drive adoption.
• Consolidate systems so it becomes the ‘go to’ tool
• Embed it into daily workflows – not just during crises.

ROI Insight:
Reducing manual admin and duplicated effort across departments can reclaim dozens of staff hours per week – equivalent to thousands in recovered productivity per quarter. A UK-based retail chain reduced internal incident reporting time by 68% within the first three months of deployment – freeing up managers to focus on frontline operations instead of paperwork.

“We saw the difference straight away. People actually wanted to use it – because it made their jobs easier. The platform didn’t just replace a system, it improved how we think about incidents.”
— Head of Security, National Retailer

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2. Integration with Existing Systems

The Challenge:
Complex tech stacks can make integration seem daunting and legacy tools/devices need to connect seamlessly with the new platform.

The Solution:

• Choose a vendor that is browser and device agnostic.
• Ensure proven API capabilities to connect with existing integrations.
• Leverage your existing authentication systems – utilising Single-Sign-On (SSO).
• Focus on high-impact connections first – like alerting, incident reporting, and communication tools.
• Lean on vendor onboarding teams for hands-on support.

ROI Insight:
Integrated systems reduce incident resolution time by up to 40%, minimising the impact of disruptions on operations and revenue. A global company integrated their platform with Microsoft Active Directory (AD) – removing manual staff management, and cutting down notification delays by over 50%.

“It plugged straight into our ecosystem. We didn’t have to rip anything out – we just made everything smarter.”
— IT Operations Manager, Logistics Provider

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3. Data Privacy, Security & Compliance

The Challenge:
Concerns about cloud security, GDPR, and data sovereignty can stall projects – especially in global brands, finance, and government sectors.

The Solution:

• Work with ISO 27001 and GDPR-compliant vendors.
• Ensure platforms offer regional data hosting options.
• Request access to risk ledgers and latest vulnerability / pen testing reports
• Use role-based access, encryption, and full audit trails.

ROI Insight:
Avoiding a single compliance-related fine or data breach can save hundreds of thousands—more than covering the cost of a platform. A financial services organisation adopted the platform to strengthen its GDPR audit trail, enabling automated logs and permission-based access – key factors that helped pass regulatory inspection with no findings.

“We went from worrying about documentation to having a full digital trail. It made our compliance team very happy.”
— Director of Risk & Compliance, Financial Services

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4. Cost Justification & Business Case

The Challenge:
Resilience is often seen as an insurance policy, not a revenue driver—making it hard to win budget approval.

The Solution:

• Position resilience as a strategic enabler—not a cost centre.
• Quantify downtime costs (e.g., £10,000+/hour in lost productivity or revenue).
• Show how one avoided crisis or faster recovery can offset investment.

ROI Insight:
Most organisations realise a return on investment within 6 months through:

• Reduced incident frequency and severity.
• Faster recovery times.
• Improved staff coordination and reduced operational inefficiency.

An new iconic building in the City of London, who went through practical completion, recovered the platform’s entire annual cost after a single incident and helped prevent a major costly operational disruption.

“Before the platform, we would’ve lost an entire shift. With it, we turned a potential crisis into a contained event.”
— Operations Director, Corporate Building

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5. Over-Reliance on the Technology Alone

The Challenge:
Some expect a platform to “fix” resilience issues on its own – without updating culture, training, or processes.

The Solution:

• Combine tech with policy reviews, training, and scenario-based exercises.
• Use it as a living platform for both day-to-day incidents and major disruptions.
• Encourage a culture of readiness across the business.

ROI Insight:
Organisations that embed the platform into BAU operations typically see 25–35% higher engagement and readiness scores across teams. A campus adopted the platform alongside updated emergency training protocols and monthly drills-leading to a 91% staff confidence rate in incident response within four months.

“It’s not just tech – it’s changed how we prepare, how we train, and how we respond. It’s become part of our culture.”
— Director of Estates , Campus in the UK

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6. Scalability in Complex or Global Organisations

The Challenge:
Rolling out across multiple regions, business units, or verticals can feel overwhelming—especially in large or regulated environments.

The Solution:

• Choose platforms that offer decentralised control, regional configurations, and multi-tenancy.
• Start with high-risk or high-impact areas and scale with proven success.
• Translate workflows, alerts, and dashboards for local teams.

ROI Insight:
Phased rollouts reduce risk and build internal momentum—leading to more sustainable long-term adoption and better data across the business. A national distribution firm used a phased rollout – each region seeing reduced incident downtime and improved executive visibility within 90 days of go-live.

“We scaled smart. The data we get now helps us make decisions at board level in real time.”
— Global Risk Manager, Distribution/Supply Chain Group

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Final Thought: Invest Once, Benefit Continuously

A SaaS-based resilience platform isn’t just about managing crises – it’s about building an organisation that thrives despite them. While challenges in adoption are real, they’re solvable. With strong leadership, the right vendor partnership, and a clear value case, your investment will not only pay off – it will set you apart.

Disruption is a given. Resilience is a choice. Make the move.

• Critical events/incidents
• Dashboards & analysis
• Infrastructure