The Domino Effect of Internet Outage On Business

In the fast-paced world of commerce where every second counts and connectivity is king, the ongoing internet outage stemming from undersea cable breaks has significantly disrupted countless businesses across East Africa. This disruption has highlighted the vulnerability of our region's internet infrastructure, underscoring the fragility of our digital ecosystem and raising concerns about connectivity and its broader implications.

Experts Unpack the Cause

Submarine cable cuts, though rarely in the spotlight, represent a significant vulnerability in global network infrastructure. These undersea cables, which crisscross the ocean floor to facilitate international data transmission, are the lifeblood of modern connectivity. Yet, their invisibility belies their importance, making them susceptible to various risks, from natural disasters and ship anchor damage to malicious sabotage and human error.

Reports indicate faults in critical submarine cables like EASSy, Seacom, EIG, and AAE1, all still awaiting repairs, exacerbating the widespread outage.

"A lot of people don’t realize that the internet is held up by these cables that are like garden hosepipes except it’s one that stretches 10,000km, and that means that they are quite fragile," Dr. Jess Auerbach Jahajeeah, a researcher into digital connectivity at the University of Cape Town, told the BBC’s Focus on Africa program.

Anchor dragging from ships close to shore is one of the most common causes of damage, but underwater rockfalls and seismic activity can also affect the cables. As industry expert Ben Roberts, Group CTIO at Liquid Intelligent Technologies, points out, "Many of these subsea cables are often quite close to each other, so one activity on the ocean floor or one ship can damage multiple cables at the same time."

New Developments

As the situation unfolds, business enterprises face the grim prospect of enduring sluggish internet speeds and outages for at least three weeks as repairs to damaged undersea cables continue. The disruption, which began on Sunday, May 12, is expected to persist as repair efforts are estimated to take two to three weeks, according to Fiona Asonga, CEO of the Technology Service Providers Association of Kenya (TESPOK).

"As we have cables from February not fixed, we would say we give it three weeks to a month for them to fix in the interim. There is a special kind of ship that is used to lay the cable. When they get there, they need to assess the amount of damage done to determine how long it will take to fix," Asonga explained to Citizen TV.

The Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) confirmed that the recovery process has commenced but warned that "slow speeds may remain in the coming few days."

The Domino Effect

What then, does this mean for your business? Steve Karechio, Managing Director of Tier Data and a seasoned expert in network infrastructure, explains the far-reaching implications of the internet outage on businesses.

"For enterprises reliant on seamless connectivity for day-to-day operations, the repercussions extend beyond mere inconvenience. With communication channels disrupted and critical data accessibility impaired, businesses face challenges in maintaining smooth operations. Moreover, compromised customer service and missed business opportunities further exacerbate the situation, underlining the profound domino effect precipitated by the outage."

Counting the Losses

The financial ramifications of sluggish internet extend beyond the immediate expenses associated with downtime and productivity losses. Indirect costs, such as reputational damage, customer churn, and missed revenue opportunities, can be staggering. For businesses operating in highly competitive markets where every second counts, the cost of being offline even briefly can be overwhelming. However, amidst the chaos, there lies an opportunity for enterprises to reassess their network architecture and fortify their resilience against unforeseen events.

Thriving Amidst Uncertainty

While businesses cannot prevent unforeseen incidents like cable cuts and internet outages, proactive measures and strategic partnerships can mitigate their impact and maintain operations. As your trusted IT partner, we advocate for a multi-faceted approach to mitigate the impact of such disruptions. Here’s how:

1. Diversify Network Routes: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Just like having multiple roads to your destination, having different ways for your data to travel ensures that if one route is blocked, your business can still keep moving. Large telecom companies employ this strategy by utilizing various undersea cables, satellite links, and terrestrial networks to reroute data traffic in case of emergencies. Exploring alternative routes, such as satellite or terrestrial networks, alongside traditional undersea cables, enhances the resilience of your network infrastructure and maintains seamless operations even during challenging circumstances.
2. Embrace Cloud-Based Solutions: Imagine having your important documents stored in a virtual safe that you can access from anywhere, anytime. That's what cloud-based solutions offer. By keeping your data in the cloud, you're not dependent on physical infrastructure. Even if there's a network problem, you can still access your data and keep your operations going without skipping a beat.
3. Plan for Disaster Recovery: Think ahead and prepare for the worst-case scenario so you can safeguard your business against unforeseen events that could disrupt your operations. Start by assessing potential risks and defining clear objectives for downtime and data loss. Implement regular backups of critical systems and data, develop detailed procedures for responding to disasters, and regularly test and update the plan. Communication and training are key to ensuring all employees understand their roles.
4. Implement Redundant Systems: Two is better than one when it comes to critical systems. entify critical systems, deploy duplicate or backup systems, and ensure they are regularly monitored and maintained.If one system fails, the backup kicks in, keeping your business operations running smoothly.
5. Invest in Reliable Backup Systems: It's like having a spare key for your most important documents. Reliable backup systems offer a secure repository for important files, applications, and information, providing peace of mind knowing that your data is protected and accessible whenever needed. Additionally, these systems enable swift recovery in the event of emergencies, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity.
6. Embrace Cloud-Based Solutions: By storing critical data and applications in the cloud, you eliminate dependency on physical infrastructure, enabling remote access from anywhere, anytime. This flexibility empowers your team to continue working seamlessly even during network downtimes. Moreover, cloud platforms offer built-in redundancy and automated backup mechanisms, safeguarding your data against loss or corruption.
7. Invest in Reliable Backup Solutions: It's like having a spare key for your most important documents. By doing this, you create redundant copies of critical data, applications, and systems, minimizing the risk of downtime and disruption. Whether on-site or cloud-based, these then offer automated and regular backups, ensuring that your data is consistently protected and easily recoverable in the event of a failure.
8. Partner with Reliable Providers: Trusted providers offer a track record of reliability, scalability, and responsive support, enabling you to navigate through disruptions with confidence. By aligning with reputable partners, you gain access to expertise, resources, and solutions that can help mitigate the impact of unforeseen events.

Future-Proofing Your Business

Navigating through disruptions requires more than just quick fixes—it demands a strategic approach toward resilience. As the dust settles and connectivity is gradually restored, the internet outage serves as a sobering reminder of the interconnected nature of our digital ecosystem and the importance of preparedness in the face of disruptions.

Tier Data is a leader in the IT and infrastructure services space and we're committed to ensuring the continuity of your business operations and driving sustainable growth. Our team of experts specializes in designing tailored network solutions that prioritize reliability, scalability, and security. By partnering with us, your business can rest assured knowing that your digital infrastructure is in capable hands.

Contact us today for a discovery session on [email protected]/ 0709 902800 and learn more about how we can help safeguard your business against future disruptions.

Author: Jedidah Mutune