If you’re running a business in the 21’st century, chances are you’d be absolutely lost in the event of a network outage. And network outages do happen – due to weather events, attacks on your security, and system failure. It’s going to happen sooner or later, but having a backup plan will keep your business running smoothly and prevent frustrated clients and coworkers.
First, you probably want to have a backup way to access the internet so that, at the very least, you can still communicate with clients and run a bare-bones version of your business. For this reason, it can be tempting to utilize a less than secure internet connection in the event of an outage. Investing in a mobile hotspot, or even tethering your phone, can keep you communicating with the outside world in the event that your network goes down. Another option is to create a backup agreement with neighboring businesses, in which you allow one another to use wifi in the event of an outage.
Either of these plans can keep your business running in the most basic way. However, be forewarned about sending or receiving sensitive data over an unsecured network. These methods should only be used in emergencies, and should not be relied upon to keep sensitive data safe. It is fine to communicate with clients and inform them of possible delays, but an unsecured network or mobile hotspot should never be used for important business transactions.
The best way to deal with a network outage is through prevention. Make sure security certificates are always up to date, in order to prevent security problems which can cause an outage. Adopting a system that continually backs up all data will protect your business if an outage does occur due to weather or some other disaster. An outage can happen in the blink of an eye, without warning, so a good system which backs up data in real time is key to preventing losses. Consult with an IT specialist about the different options available to protect your network, your data, and your business.
