Author: Owen Miles, VP Solutions Engineering EMEA at Restrata
Author Bio: Owen Miles brings 20+ years of experience in operational resilience and has been instrumental in helping 800+ companies implement and realise the value of resilience solutions.
Blog Series: ‘Miles to Go’ – Exploring the foundations of resilience & continuity
#23 – The Ethics of Resilience Technology
Date: 12 February 2026
The Ethics of Resilience Technology
Technology has transformed resilience. Platforms now track assets in real time, automate alerts, guide decision-making, and connect teams across geographies. But as these systems become more powerful, they also raise new questions about privacy, transparency, and trust.
I’ve worked with organizations that deployed sophisticated resilience platforms – only to face internal pushback. Not because the tools didn’t work, but because the people using them didn’t understand how they worked, what data was being collected, or who had access to it.
The most resilient organizations I’ve worked with treat ethics as part of their technology strategy. Because resilience isn’t just about capability, it’s about confidence.
1. Visibility vs. Surveillance
Real-time tracking can be a game-changer. Knowing where your people are, what your assets are doing, and how operations are unfolding helps accelerate response.
But there’s a line. I’ve seen teams hesitate to use location tools because they felt monitored, not supported. The difference isn’t the tech – it’s the intent, the transparency, and the communication.
Resilient organizations explain what’s being tracked, why it matters, and how it’s protected. They build trust by being clear – not just compliant.
2. Automation Needs Oversight
AI and automation can reduce response time, eliminate manual errors, and surface insights fast. But they’re not infallible.
I’ve seen systems escalate the wrong issue, misinterpret data, or trigger workflows that didn’t fit the moment. Not because the tech was broken – but because it wasn’t designed with enough human oversight.
Resilient organizations build in checks, overrides, and decision points. They train teams to lead the system, not just follow it. They ensure that automation supports judgment, not replaces it.
3. Ethics Is a Design Principle
Ethical resilience tech isn’t just about what the system does – it’s about how it’s built. Is the data explainable? Are the algorithms transparent? Is the platform inclusive?
I’ve seen organizations succeed by involving diverse voices in design, testing for bias, and aligning tech decisions with company values. That alignment builds credibility – and makes the system stronger.
4. Trust Is the Real Enabler
Technology can enable resilience. But trust enables technology.
When people understand the system, believe in its purpose, and feel confident using it, they respond faster, escalate earlier, and act with clarity. When they don’t, even the best platform sits idle.
Because resilience isn’t just about what your tech can do. It’s about whether your people trust it enough to use it when it counts.
Call to Action: Review your resilience technology. Is it ethical, transparent, and trusted? If not, start the conversation – and build the confidence that makes capability real.
Next Week: We’ll explore how leadership shapes resilience – why trust, clarity, and presence matter long before the crisis hits, and how great leaders prepare their teams to act with confidence.