When your business loses internet access during work hours, it can disrupt many essential activities—from sending emails and accessing cloud files to processing payments and communicating with customers. For Australian small and mid-sized businesses, internet downtime means staff can't complete their tasks efficiently, leading to delays and potential revenue loss.
Why Internet Outages Matter for Your Business
Even a short internet outage can have a ripple effect on your operations. Without connectivity, your team may lose access to cloud-based applications, customer databases, or online collaboration tools. This can stall projects, reduce staff productivity, and frustrate clients waiting for responses or services. Additionally, if your business relies on internet-based phone systems or payment gateways, outages can directly impact sales and customer satisfaction.
There's also a cybersecurity angle. Some outages happen because of network issues caused by cyberattacks like Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS). If your internet fails unexpectedly, it's important to check whether it's a technical fault or a security incident, as the latter requires immediate attention to protect your data and systems.
A Typical Scenario: How a Managed IT Partner Helps
Consider a 50-person Australian accounting firm that uses cloud software for client records and tax submissions. One afternoon, their internet drops out without warning. Without internet, staff can't access client files or submit documents to the Australian Taxation Office, causing delays and client frustration.
Because they have a managed IT service provider, the firm's IT team quickly identifies the outage source—an ISP fault—and switches critical operations to a backup mobile internet connection. They also communicate with staff and clients about the issue and expected resolution time. Once the internet is restored, the IT provider runs checks to ensure no data was lost or compromised during the outage.
Practical Checklist: What You Can Do
- Ask your IT provider: What is their process for handling internet outages? Do they have backup internet options like 4G/5G failover?
- Review your service level agreement (SLA): Does it include guaranteed response times for connectivity issues?
- Check your network setup: Is there a secondary internet connection or offline access to critical files?
- Test your backup systems: Are your data backups current and accessible without internet?
- Verify communication plans: How will your team and customers be informed during an outage?
- Evaluate cybersecurity monitoring: Can your IT provider detect if an outage is caused by a cyberattack?
Next Steps
Internet outages are a reality for many businesses, but with the right preparation and support, you can minimise their impact. Talk to a trusted managed IT service provider or IT advisor about your current internet resilience and outage response plans. They can help you implement practical safeguards tailored to your business needs, ensuring you stay connected and operational even when disruptions occur.