Learning Forward without Technology
Joan Burge
Executive and Administrative Assistant Trainer, Founder and CEO, Author, Speaker, and Coach at Office Dynamics International
In response to the recent Crowdstrike outage, I thought about how reliant our world is on technology. From airport display outages to 911 calls being unanswered for hours, people had to quickly find ways that were not taught to them in case an incident like this happened.
The advancement of technology truly has aided in so many industries and lives, but it also created an automatic reliance on not knowing how to survive without it.
Here are some solutions that I have researched in order to prepare when systems go down and reduce the reliance on technology:
1. Businesses must develop a continuity plan.
They must identify critical processes, such as determining which business processes are essential and developing manual procedures to handle these tasks if systems fail. Another important task is maintaining an up-to-date list of emergency contacts for IT support and key personnel.
2. Backups should be done regularly.
Frequently backing up data ensures that it is regularly backed up to both cloud and local storage solutions. Backups should also be periodically tested in order to ensure that the data can be restored quickly and effectively.
3. Train employees on manual procedures.
Teaching employees how to handle tasks without relying on digital systems will not only prepare them for an outage incident but also help them better understand the company's back end. Regular drills should also be conducted on how to respond to system outages.
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4. Invest in redundant systems.
Secondary systems should be put in place to take over immediately if the primary system fails. These systems should use cross-platform compatibility systems, which function across different platforms (e.g., Windows, MacOS, Linux, etc.), to minimize the impact of platform-specific issues.
5. Keep offline resources.
Maintain hard copies of critical documents and guides to ensure that important information, such as contact lists and procedural manuals, is accessible offline.
6. Reduce over-reliance on single vendors.
Diversify solutions by using a combination of vendors for cybersecurity and other critical services to avoid single points of failure. In addition, conducting regular audits and updates of all software and hardware ensures they are functioning optimally and securely.
By implementing these strategies, organizations can better prepare for system outages and reduce their reliance on technology, ensuring smoother operations during disruptions.
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