INTERNET DOWN! 10 True Stories of Internet Outages in 2023 (part 3 of 3)

In this final blog post of our series on the crazy ways businesses in 2023 have lost internet (and what to do to help safeguard yourself), we'll delve into some truly unexpected scenarios with reasons ranging from Taiwanize ships to angry beavers, and explore how investing in SD-WAN can ensure reliable and secure internet connectivity for your organization no matter what the crazy reason is.

• Article #1: Scenarios 1-3
• Article #2: Scenarios 4-6

With SD-WAN's software-based approach, you can proactively manage and optimize your wide area networks, dynamically routing traffic over the most reliable path, even in the face of unforeseen challenges. Plus, SD-WAN offers built-in security features to safeguard your business data from cyber threats. But for now - let's focus on the stories. Enjoy!

#7: "Cybercrime"

As we delve into the third and final installment of our blog series, it's crucial to address the alarming rise of cybercrime and its impact on network downtime. A recent example is the internet outage at Southeastern Louisiana University, suspected to be a result of a cyberattack. This highlights the urgent need for businesses to prioritize network security in their technology investments. With SD-WAN, businesses can not only mitigate downtime risks but also protect against cyber threats with features like Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) technology. Whether it's a premise-based or cloud-based solution, SD-WAN can provide additional layers of security to safeguard remote workers and defend against cyber criminals. At Matrix Networks, we specialize in offering cutting-edge SD-WAN solutions to keep businesses connected, productive, and secure. But for now, lets focus on these crazy real-life examples. Oh yeah, you can read the full article here.

#8: Taiwanize Ships?

Alright, buckle up for this one because it's quite a tale. So, imagine this - an undersea cable connecting Taiwan to the outlying island of Matsu gets damaged by Chinese vessels not once, but twice, leaving the island without internet for a whopping 50 days! The incident, which happened on Feb. 2 and 8, has sparked speculations about the need for Taiwan to strengthen its telecommunications security and resilience. Chunghwa Telecom has even announced plans to lay two more cables to link Taiwan with its outlying islands by 2024 and 2025. I mean, who would have thought that fishing and cargo vessels could disrupt internet access to an entire island? It's a bit far-fetched, but hey, you never know what could happen in this day and age. Better be prepared, right? Read the full story here.

#9: Theft

A recent AT&T network outage in Independence, Missouri left residents and businesses without internet and phone services, and the reason behind it may surprise you: it was caused by a thief! The culprit had stolen copper grounding wire from an AT&T site, resulting in disruptions that affected the local community. This unusual incident underscores the vulnerability of telecommunication infrastructure to theft and the far-reaching consequences of such disruptions. AT&T swiftly responded to restore services, but it serves as a reminder of the critical need to protect our internet infrastructure to prevent downtime and keep businesses and communities connected. Investing in technologies like SD-WAN can provide businesses with multiple ISP connections, ensuring uninterrupted internet connectivity even in the face of such unexpected events. Read the full story here.

#10: Angry Beaver

Thought we'd end with a WTF... In a quirky turn of events, a mischievous beaver has caused a mass internet blackout in several small towns in northern British Columbia, Canada. By chewing through the base of an aspen tree, the beaver damaged electricity and fiber-optic lines, leaving some customers in a blackout and many others without internet access. Surprisingly, this is not the first time a beaver has been blamed for disrupting the internet in the region, as a similar incident occurred last April when another beaver chewed through a fiber-optic cable, leaving almost 1,000 customers without service for a day. This unusual example underscores the unexpected risks that businesses and communities can face when it comes to internet connectivity, and the importance of investing in reliable technologies like SD-WAN to mitigate such risks. Choosing a trusted provider like Matrix Networks for SD-WAN solutions can ensure uninterrupted internet connectivity, even in the face of unconventional events like beavers causing mass internet outages. Read the full article here.

Conclusion

As we come to the end of our blog series on internet outages, we've seen just how crucial it is to be prepared for unexpected disruptions. Whether it's a natural disaster, a maintenance window, or even an angry beaver, internet downtime can have serious consequences for businesses and individuals alike. However, investing in reliable technologies like SD-WAN can help mitigate these risks.

SD-WAN, which stands for Software-Defined Wide Area Networking, offers a flexible and scalable solution for managing network connectivity. It doesn't have to be limited to a premise-based solution, but can also be cloud-based, providing additional features such as Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) technology. SASE helps protect remote workers and guard against threats from cyber criminals, ensuring a more secure and reliable network infrastructure.

At Matrix Networks, we specialize in providing cutting-edge SD-WAN solutions that can help businesses stay connected and resilient even in the face of internet outages. Our team of experts can assess your business needs, design a customized SD-WAN solution, and provide ongoing support to ensure optimal performance and security.

By leveraging Matrix Networks' MCaaS solution, businesses can gain better visibility, control, and resilience over their networks, reducing the impact of internet downtime and minimizing disruptions. It's a proactive approach that can help businesses stay connected, productive, and secure in today's volatile digital landscape.

We hope you've enjoyed our series of real-life stories of internet outages and the insights we've shared about the importance of preparedness and investing in reliable technologies like SD-WAN. Stay tuned for more informative (and fun) posts, and feel free to reach out to Matrix Networks for expert advice and solutions for your networking needs. Until then, remember to stay prepared, stay connected, and stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of the internet!