What term describes the ability of infrastructure and operations to respond to and recover from extreme events?

The term that accurately describes the ability of infrastructure and operations to respond to and recover from extreme events is resiliency. Resiliency encompasses not just the capacity to endure challenges but also the proactive measures put in place to ensure that systems can bounce back after disruptions, whether caused by natural disasters, technical failures, or other emergencies.

In the context of risk assessment, resilient systems are designed with strength and flexibility, allowing them to maintain essential functions during crises and recover swiftly afterward. This concept is particularly crucial for critical infrastructure sectors, where uninterrupted service is vital for public safety and economic stability.

Planning might involve strategies to prepare for potential disruptions but doesn’t inherently imply the ability to recover once an event occurs. Cybersecurity is focused on protecting systems and data from cyber threats, which is an essential aspect of overall operational integrity but does not directly address recovery from extreme events. Recovery is a component of resiliency, specifically focusing on the restoration process after an incident, rather than the comprehensive ability to withstand and adapt to various challenges.