G 0.9 Communication Network Failure or Disruption

For many business processes, intact communication links are needed at least intermittently, whether via telephone, fax, email, or other services via local or long-distance networks. If some or more of these communication links fail for an extended period, this can, for example, result in:

• Business processes being unable to continue because required information cannot be retrieved,
• customers being unable to reach the institution with inquiries,
• orders being unable to be placed or completed.

If time-critical applications are operated on IT systems connected via long-distance networks, the potential damage and indirect costs resulting from a network outage are correspondingly high if no fallback options (e.g., connection to a second communication network) are available.

Similar problems can occur when required communication networks are disrupted without completely failing. Communication links can, for example, have an increased error rate or other quality defects. Incorrect operating parameters can also lead to impairment.

Examples:

• The Internet has become an indispensable communication medium for many institutions today, including retrieving important information, external representation, and communication with customers and other parties. Companies that specialize in Internet-based services are of course particularly dependent on a functioning Internet connection.
• In the course of network convergence, voice and data services are often transported over the same technical components (e.g., VoIP). However, this increases the risk that in the event of a communication technology disruption, voice services and data services will fail simultaneously.