In today’s increasingly digital world, businesses are far more reliant than ever on sophisticated technologies to ensure the smooth functioning of operations. However, recent high-profile outages and data breaches have cast a long shadow over this digital transformation, underscoring the critical importance of safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring business continuity. As businesses become more dependent on technology, the security of that technology—especially in the face of unforeseen system failures—has never been more urgent.

One of the most significant events of 2024 was the CrowdStrike outage, which, according to experts, has been dubbed one of the largest IT disruptions in history. The incident occurred when an update to its widely used Falcon cybersecurity software malfunctioned, interacting poorly with Microsoft Windows systems. The result was catastrophic: millions of computers around the world crashed, impacting major sectors like healthcare, banking, and air travel. The total estimated losses for Fortune 500 companies due to this outage surpassed $5 billion, with airlines such as American and United facing a combined loss of $860 million, excluding secondary costs like reputational damage and lost productivity.

In the healthcare sector, the downtime disrupted critical systems and services, with losses amounting to nearly $2 billion, while the banking industry faced losses of more than $1 billion. These sectors, which rely heavily on real-time, uninterrupted service, were among the hardest hit.

Industry leaders across sectors are recognising the need for more robust security frameworks considering these challenges. Antony Jose Alex, CEO of Rainmaker Online Training Solutions, views data security as a continuous process, one that requires constant adaptation. “In the wake of recent data breaches, we are reminded that data security is akin to fortifying a citadel—requiring both walls of technology and the vigilance of its keepers,” he explains. “It’s not merely a technical upgrade, but a commitment to trust and resilience in an ever-changing landscape.”

The CrowdStrike outage, alongside other recent breaches and disruptions, has raised new alarms about the resilience of digital infrastructure. These events have emphasized the need for businesses to take a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity, one that goes beyond traditional measures like firewalls and antivirus programs. Data security today demands a combination of advanced technology, real-time monitoring, and an organizational culture that prioritizes awareness and vigilance.

A focus on vigilance and continual improvement is echoed by other cybersecurity experts across industries. For instance, Sachin Tayal, Managing Director at Protiviti Member Firm for India, emphasizes the importance of implementing robust systems to prevent such failures. “To strengthen cybersecurity and ensure operational continuity, we are implementing advanced Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions, conducting regular Vulnerability Assessments, as well as setting up a 24/7 Cyber Command Centre for real-time threat detection,” he says. Taking proactive steps is integral to ensuring business continuity and protecting against evolving cyber threats.

In India, organizations like Dexian India are also keen on bolstering their security measures. Kumar Rajagopalan, Vice President of Strategic Initiatives & Country Head – of Dexian India, highlights the company’s commitment to encryption and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect data. “We prioritize data encryption during transit and at rest, implement MFA for enhanced access control, and use Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools for real-time threat detection,” he explains. Dexian’s incident management process is designed to ensure rapid responses to security threats, he adds, ensuring that any vulnerabilities are identified and mitigated before they can cause harm. “Moreover, our employee training programs foster awareness, reinforcing proactive defenses against evolving cyber threats, all while ensuring compliance with local laws.”

Additionally, businesses are enhancing their disaster recovery and backup systems, recognizing that a breach is not just about preventing the attack but also about quickly recovering from it. Yatin Gupte, Managing Director of Wardwizard Innovations and Mobility, elaborates on the company’s efforts to safeguard critical data. “We continuously enhance our network security by updating firewalls and intrusion detection systems while employing advanced encryption protocols to protect against vulnerabilities. We maintain a robust backup and disaster recovery plan to ensure continuity even in the event of an attack,” he says. “Our production data is managed through the Tally application, with backups every 30 minutes, ensuring swift recovery and continuity in operations.”

As these disruptions continue to unfold, businesses must acknowledge that data security is not a one-time fix but an ongoing effort. The lessons learned from similar breaches serve as a wake-up call for organizations across the globe. “It’s a continuous evolution, not merely a technical upgrade, but a commitment to trust and resilience in an ever-changing landscape,” says Antony Jose Alex, reflecting a sentiment shared by many in the industry. Only by adopting a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to security can businesses hope to protect their digital infrastructure and maintain operational resilience in an increasingly uncertain digital world.