How to Survive a Crisis

David Omand is one of Britain’s most distinguished public servants - he combines deep experience from an exceptional career in public service with a rare capacity for communicating complexity, and the challenges of government and intelligence. He is exactly the man you need in a crisis – Rory StewartPiercingly insightful, brilliantly lucid and illuminating, frightening and wise. Professor Sir David Omand has spent his life working at the very heart of the state and he brings this unique historical perspective to disasters that have befallen - and could yet befall - the nation and the wider world. From nuclear meltdown to apocalyptic cyber-attacks, from pandemics to the drums of war, here is a remarkable record of how the threads of society can be held firm in the darkest days. He writes with passion, fierce intelligence, sometimes with anger but also, fundamentally, with an optimistic vision: civilisation can prevail – Sinclair McKay, Sunday Times-bestselling author of DresdenAn extraordinary achievement. Probably the best book ever written on crisis management which, as Sir David Omand persuasively argues, mostly amounts to “crisis survival”. A superlative blend of his personal experience of modern crises and historical insights. Essential reading for our post-Covid-19 world – Christopher AndrewAn amazing book. Timely, essential and important. The brilliantly insightful David Omand draws on his unmatched experience to explore the complexities of crisis. He shows us how poor preparation leads to failure, but applied intelligence saves lives. There is a lesson for all of us on every page, moreover it’s a fascinating read – Richard Aldrich, author of GCHQAs the world belatedly wakes up to the importance of resilience, this book is the instruction manual we all need. Leaders, in particular, should take note. It will be your imagination, ownership and example that will be decisive as we fight to defend that most precious of things: normality – Sir Alex Younger, Chief of MI6If anyone knows how to handle a catastrophe, it’s the former director of GCHQ – Anna Bonet * i *David Omand was at the heart of British government for decades with a ringside seat for many of the crises of that period. This book distils that rare and valuable experience. There are useful insights on virtually every page - along with handy checklists for those tasked with decision-making during a crisis and even a guide to protect one’s own household. As a nation we should be taking our resilience and preparedness much more seriously. This important book is an indispensable guide as to how we could do it – Lord Toby HarrisWe live in a world where crises have become the new normal. Here is the survival guide you need! David Omand distils a lifetime’s experience at the heart of British security into practical advice for governments, businesses and families on how to prepare for, and bounce back from, the disruptive events we will all face – Peter RickettsDavid Omand is the insiders’ insider with real-life experience and here he provides a fascinating and informed insight into the way crises develop, how to handle them and importantly, how to prevent them. It is a striking and expert checklist for dealing with the many future challenges awaiting us – George Robertson, 10th Secretary General of NATO and former British Secretary of State for Defence.As David observes, no one manages a crisis. Yet this remarkable book will help you survive one with some finesse. But only if you read it in advance – Professor Michael Mainelli, Chairman, Z/Yen Group, Sheriff of the City of London 2019-2021

David Omand was the first UK Security and Intelligence Coordinator, responsible to the Prime Minister for the professional health of the intelligence community, national counter-terrorism strategy and “homeland security”. He served for seven years on the Joint Intelligence Committee. He was Permanent Secretary of the Home Office from 1997 to 2000, and before that Director of GCHQ.