What happens when your internet goes down?

Why it matters more now

When email, files, line-of-business applications and payment systems all run in the cloud, the internet connection becomes the one thing everything depends on. Construction work cutting a line down the street can stop work for a day.

How a second connection works

A business firewall can be connected to two internet services at once. If the main one fails, traffic moves to the backup automatically, usually within seconds or minutes. When the main line returns, traffic moves back.

Common combinations:

• Fiber or cable as the main line, with a second wired service from a different provider.
• A wired main line with a cellular backup, which is quick to install and does not depend on cables in the street.

Making it work in practice

• Use different providers and, ideally, different routes into the building, so one cut cannot take out both.
• Decide what must keep working on the backup, since it may be slower: payments and phones before video streaming.
• Test it. Unplug the main line on purpose once in a while and see what happens.

Questions to ask

• What stops working in your business if the internet is down for a day?
• Who would you call, and how long does your provider usually take to fix an outage?