Introduction
It’s hurricane season again, and for businesses that rely on their networks to stay afloat, the stakes have never been higher. With the potential for power outages, flooding, and other disruptions, network downtime can be a costly disaster in itself. In fact, the high cost of network outages during hurricane season is something every business owner should be aware of – because if you’re not prepared, your company could be left stranded in the storm. So let’s take a look at what you need to know about network outages during hurricane season – and how you can protect your business from their devastating effects.
Types of Network Outages
There are three main types of network outages that can occur during hurricane season: power outages, service outages, and equipment outages.
Power Outages:
Power outages are the most common type of outage during hurricanes. They can be caused by high winds knocking down power lines, flooding causing water damage to electrical equipment, or even falling trees damaging transformers. Power outages can last for hours or even days, depending on the severity of the storm.
Service Outages:
Service outages occur when communication networks are damaged by high winds, flooding, or fallen trees. Service outages can result in loss of cell phone service, internet service, television service, and even landline telephone service. These outages can be frustrating and disruptive, but they are usually not as long-lasting as power outages.
Equipment Outages:
Equipment outages occur when vital pieces of equipment are damaged or destroyed by high winds, flooding, or fallen trees. Equipment outages can include things like ATMs being knocked offline, gas pumps being rendered useless, and traffic lights going dark. Equipment outages can be extremely dangerous and cause major disruptions to normal life.
Causes of Network Outages
One of the most common and costly causes of network outages during hurricane season is damage to infrastructure. This can include physical damage to equipment, power outages, and flooding. In addition, high winds can cause trees and debris to fall on power lines and other critical equipment, causing extensive damage and interrupting service.
Another cause of network outages during hurricane season is disruptions to the telecommunications backbone. This can be caused by downed power lines, damaged fiber optics, or flooding. Backbone disruptions can cause widespread service outages, as well as delays in restoration efforts.
Finally, network outages can also be caused by simply not being able to access the internet due to power outages or damaged equipment. This can make it difficult for people to stay connected with family and friends, as well as hinder business operations.
The Impact of Network Outages
As Hurricane Season approaches, it’s important to be aware of the potential impact of network outages. Major storms can cause widespread damage to critical infrastructure, including telecommunications networks.
According to a study by Forrester Research, the average cost of a network outage is $5,600 per minute. For large organizations, that number can jump to millions of dollars per hour. And with Hurricane Season upon us, the risk of outages is only increasing.
There are a number of factors that contribute to the high cost of network outages. First, there’s the direct cost of lost productivity. When employees are unable to access the network, they can’t work. This leads to lost revenue for businesses and decreased productivity across the board.
Additionally, there are indirect costs associated with outages. For example, businesses may lose customers if they’re unable to provide them with service or support during an outage. In some cases, outages can also lead to safety issues if critical systems like traffic lights or hospital equipment are impacted.
The bottom line is that network outages can have a significant financial impact on businesses of all sizes. And with Hurricane Season underway, now is the time to ensure your organization is prepared for any potential disruptions.
How to Prevent Network Outages
One of the most expensive aspects of hurricane season is the potential for network outages. A well-executed plan for preventing network outages can save your business a lot of money.
There are a few key things you can do to prevent network outages:
1. Use redundancy: create multiple backup systems so that if one system fails, there is another one in place that can take its place.
2. Protect your equipment: make sure your networking equipment is well-protected from the elements, including wind, rain, and flooding.
3. Have a communication plan: ensure that you have a plan in place for communicating with employees and customers in the event of an outage.
4. Test your systems regularly: don’t wait until an outage occurs to test your backup systems; test them on a regular basis to ensure they are working properly.
By following these simple tips, you can prevent costly network outages during hurricane season.
Conclusion
Network outages during hurricane season can have a devastating effect on businesses, both in terms of financial costs and customer service disruptions. Businesses must ensure they are properly prepared for the potential threat posed by hurricanes, which include preparing their networks to withstand extreme weather conditions. With a little preparation and planning, businesses can minimize network outages and help protect their bottom line during this challenging time.
