How to Prevent a Digital Pandemic, by ITU and Others
The Growing Threats to Digital Infrastructure
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and other experts have identified six key priorities for safeguarding critical digital infrastructure. These priorities aim to prevent incidents such as solar storms, submarine cable cuts, satellite disruptions, and extreme weather conditions that could disrupt communication networks and potentially lead to a “digital pandemic.”
A recent report titled “When digital systems fail: The hidden risks of our digital world” released by the ITU has outlined risk scenarios on Earth, at sea, and in space. It analyzes the fragility of interconnected digital systems and provides a roadmap for preparedness.
Experts from the ITU, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), and Sciences Po have called for coordinated action between countries to improve digital resilience and protect essential services such as healthcare, finance, and emergency response. Their findings are the result of a collaborative process involving experts from 12 countries, representing national authorities, the private sector, academia, and international organizations.
ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin emphasized the importance of building resilience into the DNA of the technologies we depend on. She stated, “This report urges us to consider the systemic nature of risks and rethink how we protect the systems that connect and empower humanity.”
Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR, added, “As our societies become more reliant on digital technologies, disruptions caused by disasters can cascade across systems and borders, triggering far-reaching and potentially catastrophic failures. We must plan, build, and maintain digital infrastructure with systemic risk in mind—now and for the future. Digital infrastructure must be resilient infrastructure.”
The Impact of Digital Vulnerabilities
Digital technologies have revolutionized how we live, connect, and work. However, our growing reliance on these systems has created risks that often go unnoticed. A severe solar storm could disable satellites, disrupt navigation systems, and destabilize energy grids, with recovery times measured in months. Extreme temperatures could overwhelm data centers, leading to mobile service outages, as well as failures in healthcare systems and financial transactions.
Meanwhile, earthquakes or other natural hazards can sever vital Internet connections, slowing business operations and leaving entire nations offline for weeks. While any specific scenario may seem isolated and unlikely, not alarming enough to prompt a timely global response, digital vulnerabilities are real, and unexpected incidents are bound to happen.
The Need for Fallback Options
The report highlights another vulnerability: societies have grown dependent on digital systems without maintaining analogue skills and ensuring adequate fallback options. When big systems fail, offline alternatives are not always available anymore. This lack of preparedness leaves many communities vulnerable in the face of technological disruptions.
Arancha González, Dean of the Paris School of International Affairs at Sciences Po, emphasized the need to look beyond data and work across disciplines. She said, “This report shows how evidence-based policymaking can help us build resilience in an increasingly interconnected world.”
Call to Action
The report calls on policymakers, the private sector, and civil society to act now to prevent these risks from becoming a “digital pandemic.” It urges for global commitment and coordinated action to address the growing threats to digital infrastructure.
By taking proactive steps, stakeholders can ensure that digital systems remain resilient against potential disruptions. This includes investing in backup systems, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration, and fostering a culture of preparedness.
Key Priorities for Digital Resilience
To safeguard critical digital infrastructure, the following priorities have been identified:
- Enhancing Systemic Awareness: Recognizing the interconnected nature of digital systems and understanding how disruptions in one area can affect others.
- Investing in Backup Systems: Ensuring that analog and alternative systems are maintained to provide fallback options during crises.
- Promoting International Collaboration: Encouraging countries to work together to share knowledge, resources, and best practices for digital resilience.
- Strengthening Policy Frameworks: Developing evidence-based policies that address systemic risks and promote long-term digital infrastructure planning.
- Supporting Research and Innovation: Investing in research to identify emerging threats and develop innovative solutions for digital resilience.
- Educating and Training Workforces: Building capacity through education and training programs to ensure that professionals are equipped to manage digital disruptions effectively.
