5 Ways to be Prepared for IT Computer Outages

In the news again today, there is an outage around the world involving CrowdStrike Cybersecurity and Microsoft Users. This includes banks, social media companies, 911 systems are down across many states, worldwide airlines and hospitals. Unfortunately, this is becoming very common, due to the cloud systems. Don’t forget that every week there is a news article talking about peoples information being taken by hackers. However, nothing seems to come from it such as the people or groups who supposedly hacked the systems. I don’t hear of anyone later being found and prosecuted. So, how can you reduce the stress if this occurs to you.

5 Ways to be Prepared for IT Computer Outages

1. First, to be prepared is always have cash on you in your currency and or the countries currency you are travel to. Not just any cash, you should have a lot of small issuant of cash. This includes $5, $10 and $20 bills in your wallet. Remember that most businesses you will need to transact with do not have large bills. Thus, either you won’t be able to get the item you want or won’t receive the change back to you. Lastly, on this aspect the ATM’s are computers they will not work either. So, let’s say you are traveling and computers crash, you will not be able to get gas, hotel, food, or something to drink. All in all very scary, please make sure you carry some cash with you at all times.
2. Second, something very easy to skip due to water, food and pain medication is always assessable. If the computers crash on the road, you may not be able to buy these items. So, make sure you have a to go water bottle full, a few snacks such as protein or higher carbs to increase your energy due to higher stress and possible lack of sleep. If your diabetic make sure you bring a sugar snack and blood sugar testing extra items with you, and lastly bring pain medication such as Tylenol or Advil. If you have access to herbs that help with pain of course, bring those with you.
3. Third, is your safety! Bring some type of protection with you, if their is a grid down situation the 911 calling system will probably not work. This has already happened in the United States of America in 2024 a few months ago and again today with this outage. Just plan that you have to protect yourself for a day or so until the computer systems are fixed. What can you do? You should have a knife this is also important to have for everything, especially camping or for the outdoors. How many times do you need your knife in your own kitchen? If your on the road you will need this as well. Pepper Mace is important for women to get out of a bad situation quickly, and isn’t something that injuries a criminal long-term. Of course a gun and its your constitutional right. It’s very important if you are going to have a gun, make sure you sign up for safety course and practice at a gun shooting range. As a female and a nurse, I am very aware of men’s physical strength. If you feel comfortable with learning this type of weapon you should. Besides, hunting is and has always been a way to survive.
4. Fourth, you should always have an emergency paper notebook and pencil, small notebook preferable with you at all times. To write down important addresses and phone numbers. Also, your itinerary where your going and the places address. Before traveling make sure you give this information to your family or friends. List anything else you can think of to write down if you can’t access a computer or your phone for days to weeks. In addition, print out copy of anything that you need to travel with, such as plane tickets or car rental receipts.
5. The Fifth way to be prepared for computer outages is bring paper maps. If you are traveling in an unknown location how will you know where to go without GPS? You won’t be able to. Are you thinking of I will just ask a local. I would say if there is a computer outage or grid down, strangers will not be willing to help you out. Especially due to being scared or robbed from outsiders. Also, remember if there is an outage the stores carrying paper maps could be inaccessible. First they probably will be sold out, store will be closed and locked for that time period or people will be pillaging the stores as we have seen in the USA the last few years and in other countries.

Please just be ready for anything, as they say we are in a new world. Plan accordingly for the future and not the past.

The Prairie Nurse Preparedness Tips