In today’s fast-paced business landscape, organizations rely heavily on technology to keep their operations running smoothly. However, as much as we would like it to be perfect, technology isn’t infallible. Technical glitches and outages are inevitable and can cause significant interruptions in business processes. Recently, there was a major outage at CrowdStrike – a leading cybersecurity company known for its cloud-based endpoint security solutions. This incident has brought to light the importance of having a backup plan in place when critical systems go down. In this blog post, we will discuss how using VoIP can help ensure business continuity during such scenarios.
Understanding the CrowdStrike Outage
In the early hours of July 16, 2021, users reported issues with accessing CrowdStrike’s Falcon endpoint security tools. This outage affected a large number of customers, including major organizations such as Amazon, Capital One, and ADP. According to CrowdStrike’s status page, the disruption was caused by an issue with their DNS infrastructure.
The impact of this outage was significant as it left organizations vulnerable to cyber attacks and unable to access critical security features. It also led to a disruption in daily business operations for many companies that heavily rely on CrowdStrike’s services.
How VoIP Can Help Mitigate Business Disruptions
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that enables voice communication over the internet rather than traditional phone lines. It offers a cost-effective and reliable alternative to traditional phone systems, making it an ideal solution for businesses looking to ensure continuity in times of crisis.
Here are a few ways VoIP can help mitigate business disruptions during incidents like the CrowdStrike outage:
- Built-in Redundancy: VoIP providers often have built-in redundancy systems in place to ensure uninterrupted service. This means that if one server or connection fails, calls can be automatically rerouted through another route, minimizing downtime.
- Remote Access: With VoIP, employees can easily access their work phone number from anywhere with an internet connection. This allows for seamless communication and collaboration, even during outages that may affect physical office spaces.
- Disaster Recovery Planning: VoIP providers also offer disaster recovery planning services to help organizations prepare for potential disruptions. This can include backup routing options, call forwarding, and other measures to ensure business continuity.
Implementing VoIP in Your Business Continuity Plan
To effectively utilize VoIP as a part of your business continuity plan, it’s essential to choose a reliable provider and have a contingency plan in place. Here are some tips on how to incorporate VoIP into your strategy:
- Research Providers: Take the time to research and compare different VoIP providers to find one that offers the features and reliability you need for your business.
- Set Up Redundancy Systems: Work with your chosen provider to set up redundancy systems, such as backup routing and call forwarding, to ensure continuous service in the event of an outage.
- Train Employees: Make sure your employees are familiar with how to use VoIP and know how to access their work phone numbers remotely. This will help minimize any disruptions in communication during an outage.
Conclusion
The CrowdStrike outage serves as a reminder that even industry-leading technology companies are not immune to outages. As businesses become increasingly reliant on technology, it’s essential to have contingency plans in place to ensure continuity in case of disruptions. By incorporating VoIP into your business continuity plan, you can minimize the impact of technical outages and ensure seamless communication and collaboration within your organization. If you have any questions, please contact Advanced Communication Systems today at 800-750-3624. Please feel free to also follow us on Twitter.
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