When a software bug bricked 8.5 million computers worldwide on July 19, some of the first people to notice were air travelers. Anthony Bosman, an academic at Andrews University in Michigan, couldn’t download his boarding pass and had to get it written out by hand at the airport. The bug affected various industries, including banks and health services.
A senior executive from the firm apologized for the chaos caused by the bug before a US congressional committee. This incident highlighted the importance of being prepared for IT failures, with some experts suggesting practicing paper-based processes as a backup plan.
Norsk Hydro, a Norwegian aluminum firm, faced a ransomware attack in 2019 that locked staff out of computers. They resorted to using paper instructions and old equipment to keep operations running. Experts recommend having manual methods in place as a contingency plan for cyber-attacks.
Companies are advised to have off-site data backups and practice alternative methods like using flipcharts and whiteboards in case of IT failures. While pen and paper systems may not scale well, they can be crucial during emergencies. It’s the simple, improvised workarounds that can save companies when a crisis hits.