Don't let your business go dark

Learn how to protect your company from the risks of blackout and keep the lights on.

Today, the world is facing ever-new challenges posed by the Russian-Ukrainian war. The impact of those challenges is being felt not only in Ukraine but also beyond its borders. Recent russian attacks on the Ukrainian critical infrastructure showed us how even the best-prepared system could be vulnerable in the face of barbaric cruelty and disregard for all the existing rules.

Power outages can have a major impact on any business operation.

Studies show that a single outage related to the lack of energy can cost a company as much as 17% of its annual revenue. Accordingly, this article discusses the topic of “blackout” and the impact of this issue on the industry. In the article, I will provide a definition of “blackout” and describe a few ways to protect your business from it.

A blackout is a loss of electrical power that may be caused by a variety of factors, such as natural catastrophes, power grid failures, war, or other disasters. Blackouts can be disruptive to businesses, leading to lost productivity, damaged equipment, and loss of revenue. It is extremely important for companies to have the plan to protect themselves from a blackout and minimize its impact on their operations.

One of the key ways to protect your company from blackouts is to secure a backup power source, or the so-called Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS).

This can include generators, batteries, or other sources of power that would keep essential equipment running in the event of a blackout. It is important to regularly test and maintain these backup power sources to ensure they are ready to use when needed.

Another way to protect your company is to have a communication plan in place. The plan includes contact information for key employees and suppliers, as well as instructions on how to communicate with customers and clients during a blackout. Having a clear communication plan can help ensure that everyone is on the same page so as to work together to minimize the impact of a blackout on the business.

It is also important to have a disaster recovery plan.

This plan should outline the steps that the company will take to recover from a blackout, including how to restore power, how to protect equipment and data, and how to get your business back up and running. Having a disaster recovery plan will help ensure that your company is prepared to handle any situation that may arise during a blackout.

To further protect your company from blackouts, it is important to have a proper system for managing and storing sensitive data. This can include backing up data on a regular basis, storing backups in multiple locations, and implementing security measures to prevent data loss in the event of a blackout.

One more way to manage and store data during a blackout is to use cloud-based services.

Such services allow you to access and store data on remote servers, which can be accessed from any location with an internet connection. This approach can be especially useful during expected circumstances, as it allows you to continue working and accessing critical data even if your local power is out.

Investing in surge protectors and other protective devices for your electrical equipment is another useful way to protect your company from blackouts. These devices can help prevent damage to equipment from power surges and other electrical issues that can occur during a blackout. It is also a good idea to unplug non-essential equipment during a blackout to prevent damage and save on backup power.

Blackouts can be a major inconvenience for businesses.

By having a plan in place and taking the necessary steps to protect your company, you can minimize its impact and keep your operations running smoothly. This includes having a backup power source, a communication plan, a disaster recovery plan, and a system for managing and storing data safely.

If you need more details as to how to prepare your business for all such contemporary threats, just leave it to the professionals.

NaviRisk brings you the best solutions when you need a global partner to navigate business risk. We provide an array of services, including corporate risk due diligence, development, and implementation of crisis scenarios, crisis management, and every activity connected with security. We could help you with preparation for any unexpected event that may occur during these unpredictable times. By being prepared, you can ensure that your company is ready to handle any situation that may arise when a blackout hits your operations.

Mykhailo Serhiichuk, Junior Analyst in NaviRisk