Human error is one of the most common causes of IT downtime within any organization: it is the reason behind more than 49% of all business interruptions and can be extremely costly.
According to a recent survey conducted by Infrascale, 10% of SMBs reported that their per-hour downtime cost was more than $50,000, while for 13%, the cost was between $40,001 and $50,000. For 25% of SMBs, the per-hour cost of downtime was between $20,001 and $40,000. A slightly larger share (26%) said the loss was around $10,000 to $20,000, while 27% said their cost of downtime per hour was under $10,000.
Unfortunately, human-error-based downtime is not entirely avoidable.
Here are a few examples:
Technical errors made by your IT support team are a biggie. Misconfiguration of hardware and devices, failure to keep up to date on patches and security, and classic “dumb” mistakes, such as unplugging crucial power cords, leaving critical ports open, failing to disable a guest account, or not adjusting the temperature in the data center, can all result in distressing interruptions.
Errors made by authorized users or employees. It only takes the slip of a finger to accidentally delete a system file causing an entire application to crash or to click on a link in a malicious email. Likewise, even the most careful person can spill a drink on a computer.
Data and hardware are key factors in keeping your business operational. Disruptive user accidents can be costly.
Errors made by management. Small(er) budgets require careful planning. However, underestimating the importance of technology and security in a business and cutting technology corners can result in destructive consequences. As a general rule of thumb, technology should move your business forward, not hold it back. Likewise, the consequences can be devastating when a lack of budget results in insufficient security or a lack of staff training.
Mistakes happen as humans are not flawless. However, there are ways to mitigate some of the consequences.
Minimizing The Consequences of Downtime
Working with a good MSP or hiring certified and well-trained experts is one significant step forward. Not only can this team implement up-to-date technology and security in support of your operations, but they’ll also be there for you should something go wrong.
By:
- Operating as a true partner in your business,
- Monitoring your network and devices constantly,
- Ensuring your devices and applications are up to date,
- Implementing and testing backups regularly,
- Setting up ongoing training for your employees, and
- Helping you develop (and implement) a disaster recovery plan,
a proper IT support partner can reduce your risk and minimize the impact of human error on your business.
The cost of outdated hardware, hardware failure, data loss, and network outages can be high. Knowing the risk of downtime to business (how much downtime could your business withstand without causing irreparable damage to your operations, brand, and reputation) will help determine where to invest time and money and which strategies to put in place now to prevent extended damage later.
Don’t have a trusted IT partner? Give us a call. Meeting Tree Computer has helped businesses like yours implement and maintain their technology strategy since 1999. We can help you prepare for the unexpected and aid you in the recovery of your systems should the worst happen.
Meeting Tree Computer: Real IT Support for Real People. Help is only a phone call away at (845) 237-2117.
