Background
A faulty software update crashes a critical component which the majority of server infrastructure globally relies on, causing a sudden, widespread digital outage, similar to the July 2024 CrowdStrike incident but on a much larger and longer-lasting scale.
Key impacts include the disruption of communications, emergency services, transport, border control, financial systems, and broadcasting, alongside widespread disruption of smart devices and smartphones. Backup systems may fail, and some services and data could be permanently lost.
Local risk rating
Very High
What does the LRF do to prepare?
We prepare for a Digital Technology Resilience Failure by assessing how disruption to widely used software, cloud services, or technology suppliers could affect local organisations and communities. Agencies identify critical dependencies, shared technology platforms, and potential single points of failure across emergency services, healthcare, local authorities, utilities, transport, and telecommunications to understand how disruption could spread across multiple sectors.
To improve resilience, agencies work with partner organisations to maintain and test business continuity plans, including manual processes, offline records, alternative communication methods, and backup arrangements. Multi-agency exercises are run, helping organisations understand the impact of technology failures and strengthen recovery arrangements.
If major disruption occurs, the local response is co-ordinated through multi-agency groups working closely with critical infrastructure operators with the objectives of maintaining resilient communications, supporting vulnerable people who rely on digital services, maintaining essential services and coordinating recovery until normal digital systems and services are restored.
Associated risks
National Disruption to Data Centres
Loss of telecommunications
Cyber
Technical failure of financial systems
How can you prepare?
Keep Some Cash Available – Many payment systems depend on data centres and cloud infrastructure. If banking apps, card payments, or online banking become unavailable:
Keep a modest emergency cash reserve at home
Carry some cash when travelling
Avoid relying entirely on mobile payment apps
Download Important Personal Information – Cloud-based services may become temporarily inaccessible. Examples include:
Medical information and prescriptions
Insurance details
Travel documents
Emergency contacts
Important household records
Store copies securely offline
Maintain Alternative Ways to Communicate – A major data centre outage could affect email, messaging platforms, and some telecom services.
Keep a written list of important phone numbers
Agree alternative contact arrangements with family members
Consider having more than one communication method available
Prepare for Temporary Service Outages - Many everyday services depend on data centres, including
- Banking
- Online shopping
- Government services
- Utility customer portals
- Healthcare booking systems
- Transport information services
People should be prepared to
- Use manual or offline alternatives where possible.
- Delay non-essential transactions until systems recover.
- Follow official guidance from service providers
Building Household Resilience
As with other national disruptions, households should be able to cope for a short period without relying on online services. Consider maintaining:
Essential medicines
Basic food supplies
Bottled Water
Battery powered or wind-up lighting
