Is IT downtime costing you more than you think?

Orbital10 Team • 27 August 2024

Imagine this: you walk into your office on a busy Monday morning, ready to tackle the week, but something's wrong. Computers are unresponsive. Phones are silent. The internet is a ghost town. Your business has come to a grinding halt – victim of an IT outage.


It's a scenario every business owner fears. But beyond the initial frustration are the expenses you may not immediately see. IT downtime carries hidden costs that can significantly impact your bottom line. Let's peel back the layers and expose the true price of IT outages.


The Immediate Impact: Lost Productivity


When IT systems go down, your employees are effectively side-lined. Sales can't be processed. Emails pile up unanswered. Deadlines are missed. Every minute of downtime translates to lost productivity. This is a cost measured in lost revenue and delayed projects.


Customer Impact: Frustration and Lost Trust


An IT outage isn't just an internal inconvenience, it directly impacts your customers.


Imagine an online store experiencing downtime during a peak sales period. Frustrated customers can't place orders or access their accounts. This not only leads to lost sales but also damages customer trust. This can potentially drive your customers to competitors.


Reputational Damage: A Hit to Your Brand Image


IT outages can tarnish your brand image. Customers expect businesses to be reliable and accessible. Frequent downtime paints a picture of inefficiency and unpreparedness. In today's competitive landscape, a damaged reputation can be difficult to repair.


Hidden Costs: Beyond the Obvious


The financial impact of IT downtime extends beyond lost productivity and sales. There are other costs that may not be on your radar. Here are some hidden costs of downtime to consider:


Employee Demoralisation


Frustrated employees stuck waiting for systems to come online can be demoralised. They can also lose motivation. They can feel like they can’t get anything done, so why bother? Frequent downtime can cause employees to jump ship for more tech stability.


Emergency Repairs


IT outages often need emergency repair efforts. This can be costly and time-consuming. It can cost even more if you don’t have a managed IT service agreement in place. In the middle of an emergency is not when you should be choosing an IT provider to trust with your business IT.


Data Loss or Corruption


In severe cases, outages can lead to data loss or corruption. This can mean expensive recovery efforts. If the data can’t be recovered, it can mean hours of staff time entering data. All to just get you to where you were before the outage.


Compliance Issues


Depending on your industry, regulatory compliance might be at risk during an outage. If there is any data compromise, this could lead to fines and penalties.


Calculating the Cost: It’s More Than You Think


The exact cost of IT downtime varies depending on your industry, size, and the duration of the outage. Studies estimate the average cost of IT downtime to be in the thousands of pounds per hour. For larger businesses, this figure can skyrocket into the millions.


A Ponemon Institute study estimates the average IT downtime cost from £4200 to nearly $6800 per minute.


Prevention is Key: Proactive Measures for Business Continuity


The good news? Most IT downtime is preventable. Here's how to be proactive:

  • Invest in Reliable IT Infrastructure: Focus on high-quality hardware and software. Look for a proven track record of reliability.
  • Regular System Maintenance: Schedule regular maintenance to identify and address potential issues. This keeps them from snowballing into outages.
  • Data Backup and Recovery: Install robust data backup and recovery to mitigate data loss in case of an outage.
  • Disaster Recovery Plan: Develop a comprehensive disaster recovery plan. It should outline steps to take in case of an outage, ensuring a swift and efficient recovery.
  • Employee Training: Educate employees on cybersecurity best practices. This minimises the risk of human error causing downtime.


Investing in Uptime: Building Business Resilience


IT downtime is a threat every business faces. But by understanding the true cost and taking proactive measures, you can reduce the risk. As well as build a more resilient business.


Remember, downtime isn't just an inconvenience. It's a financial burden. It also has the potential to damage your reputation and customer relationships.


So, focus on IT security and invest in preventative measures. This helps ensure your business stays up and running. Every minute counts when it comes to technology operating smoothly.


Need Some Help Improving Your Downtime Resilience?


Don’t wait until after you’ve incurred the cost of downtime to put preventative measures in place. Our IT experts can help your business build an IT strategy that mitigates downtime. We’ll also put systems in place to get you back up and running fast, should it happen.

Contact us today to have a chat about your technology >











Article used with permission from The Technology Press.

Someone dropping an alarm clock into a waste paper bin
by The Orbital10 Team 14 July 2025
Turn Word documents into PowerPoint slides in seconds with Microsoft Copilot — a faster, smarter way to boost team productivity.
A man pulling apart some blinds to peer through suspiciously
by The Orbital10 Team 14 July 2025
Windows 11’s upcoming Onlooker Detection feature could warn you if someone’s snooping on your screen, helping protect your privacy when working in public.
A hand pressing a digital screen and the letters 'AI'
by The Orbital10 Team 14 July 2025
90% of businesses are using Generative AI — are you? Learn how AI is transforming productivity, and what your organisation needs to do next.
Person in front of a laptop looking at their emails with a symbol showing one new email
by The Orbital10 Team 14 July 2025
Phishing scams are impersonating Microsoft more than ever. Learn how to spot the signs, stay alert, and protect your business from cyber threats.
Woman sitting in front of a laptop with her arms in the air shrugging
by The Orbital10 Team 7 July 2025
Learn the key differences between IT Security and Cybersecurity, plus essential steps every business must take to protect data and systems.
Some typing on a laptop with backup clouds dotted around
by The Orbital10 Team 11 June 2025
Ransomware is evolving — and it’s coming for your backups. With attacks at an all-time high, your last line of defence needs to be bulletproof. Discover how immutable backup storage can keep your business protected, even when attackers get in.
A post it note with 'password qwerty' written on it
by The Orbital10 Team 11 June 2025
Weak passwords are still one of the biggest risks to your business – and attackers know it. From “123456” to reused logins, poor password practices make it easy for cyber criminals to get in and cause serious damage. In this blog, we break down why passwords aren’t enough anymore, what better options look like, and how your business can upgrade its login security for good.
Open laptop with a hand in a black leather glove coming out the screen and reaching to the keyboard
by The Orbital10 Team 11 June 2025
Think your Microsoft account is safe behind a strong password and MFA? Think again. A new tactic called device code phishing is letting cyber criminals bypass traditional security – using real Microsoft login pages to trick users into handing over access. In this blog, we break down how the attack works, why it's so dangerous, and what your business can do to stay ahead of it.
A mousetrap
by The Orbital10 Team 12 May 2025
“Free” online tools could be costing you more than you think. File conversion websites may be hiding ransomware or data theft tools. Here’s how to protect your business from this growing cyber threat.
A view of a teams video call between four people, all smiling and a couple of them waving
by The Orbital10 Team 12 May 2025
Tired of saying “next slide, please” in Teams meetings? Microsoft just rolled out a long-awaited update that allows multiple presenters to control slides—making your meetings and webinars run more smoothly than ever. Here's what to expect.
More posts