Internet outages can be devastating for any business, which is why it’s critical to take steps that will mitigate the impact these have on your business.
We live our lives almost entirely online, and businesses are no exception to this modern phenomenon. Online business, online programs, data storage, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are just some of the systems and processes that showcase why businesses need to manage and maintain their online network. During internet outages, businesses are often left sitting in the dark without the ability to actually conduct any business or manage their facilities. Mitigating the impact of internet outages on your business is critical for staying afloat.
Network Redundancy
What even is network redundancy? To put it simply, network redundancy provides multiple paths for traffic that allows data to continue to flow even in the event of a network failure. The more redundancy there is, the more stable and reliable the network will be. This is critical for all businesses because so many business processes are handled through the internet. Many businesses do their accounting online, run an online store, and utilize online messaging and emails to communicate with customers, vendors, and others.
That’s not the only reason network redundancy and mitigating the impact of network outages is important, though. The Internet of Things (IoT) has become a staple in many lives and even more businesses. For the most part, this online integration makes life easier for businesses by consolidating tasks and systems. However, when your whole business is online, an outage can become a major problem in an instant. An extended outage has the potential to even put a small business under.
Fire safety systems, video surveillance systems, and access control systems are just some of the important things that are often integrated through bluetooth connectivity and wireless networks. If these systems go offline, your business will be a sitting duck.
Backup Power
Pretty much everything, including your business internet, runs on electricity. For this reason, it is critical that your business has backup power available. One of the better options that is typically recommended is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). According to the United States Agency for International Development, “Uninterruptible power supplies provide backup power, protecting equipment from damage in the event of grid power failure.” This agency also states that these devices activate almost instantaneously in order to protect systems from damage. This is important to note, especially if you have any on-site servers. It also keeps those all-important safety and security systems online, so you’re never left in the dark.
The Cloud
Network redundancy and backup power are effective ways to protect data, but another great way is by adopting cloud technology and colocation services. The cloud allows you to back up your data to offsite servers, and colocation backs up your data to multiple servers across various geological regions. If one region is hit with a devastating natural disaster and a server farm goes down, colocation ensures that your data is backed up to other areas and is, therefore, still recoverable. The same goes for any potential reason a server farm may experience a catastrophic failure, such as a building fire or other issue that causes mass data wipes.
TRUST THE PROFESSIONALS AT ARK SYSTEMS
Located in Columbia, Maryland, ARK Systems provides unsurpassed quality and excellence in the security industry, from system design all the way through to installation. We handle all aspects of security with local and remote locations. With over 30 years in the industry, ARK Systems is an experienced security contractor. Trust ARK to handle your most sensitive data storage, surveillance, and security solutions.
Contact ARK Systems at 1-800-995-0189 or click here today. Check us out on Facebook and Twitter as well!