The systems approach can promote cross-sectoral, multidisciplinary collaboration in the process of policy formulation: it takes proper account of the crucial linkages between issues generally treated separately. Growing complexity and interdependence have made various systems (economic, public health, cyber, etc.) susceptible to widespread, irreversible, and cascading failure. Striving for maximum efficiency and optimisation, such systems have neglected resilience against disruptions. Resilience acknowledges that massive disruptions can and will happen and it is essential that core systems have the capacity for recovery and adaptation. It must become a core philosophy within system management and operation to ensure these systems are able to continue to function despite disruptions like Covid-19. This crisis shows how important it is to have buffers, safeguards and in some cases resources in reserve for times when unexpected upheavals in the system prevent it from functioning normally.