In a rapidly evolving world, the threats to business continuity are more pressing than ever. Just five years ago, few could have predicted the scale of geopolitical conflict in Europe or the alarming trend of undersea communication cables being severed. Today, these risks make it imperative for UK government organisations to reassess their business continuity planning, particularly for critical communications.

‍ Communication in the workplace has evolved beyond emails and enterprise chat platforms. Employees now use personal messaging apps, encrypted services, and even social media for work-related discussions. Plus, a 2023 HP Wolf Security Report found that 67% of remote and hybrid workers often use personal devices for work. While this change boosts productivity, it also introduces security risks, regulatory challenges, and potential data breaches.

‍ The average cost of a data breach for enterprises in 2024 was $4.88 million, marking a 10% increase from 2023. While various factors have caused the surge, one of the reasons is also vulnerable messaging apps. There's a common myth that using encrypted messaging apps is good enough to ensure secure communication that's immune to data breaches. However, that's not entirely true. In fact, even having a strong password is, at times, not sufficient for protection, as it cannot cover for human errors.

‍ From supply chain issues and cyberattacks to climate change and economic instability, businesses are frequently forced to deal with a volatile and unpredictable world. As a case in point, IMF notes that the size of extreme losses from cyber incidents has more than quadrupled since 2017, reaching $2.5 billion. Without a solid business resilience framework, organizations risk operational breakdowns, financial losses, and reputational damage when the next crisis strikes.

‍ In August 2005, during Hurricane Katrina in the US, emergency responders and national leaders struggled to react effectively due to incompatible military communication systems. Similar issues were observed during NATO’s 2023 Coalition Warrior Interoperability Exercise, where senior military and civilian leaders identified the operational challenges posed by incompatible military communication systems among allied forces.

‍ In November 2024, a ransomware attack on Blue Yonder, a supply chain software provider for Starbucks, disrupted the company's scheduling and payment systems across its 11,000 North American stores. Managers were forced to revert to pen and paper to track employee hours and process payroll. Implementing out of band communication solutions can mitigate such risks for enterprises by providing secure, independent channels for coordination during crises.

‍ IBM reports that effective communication during cyber attacks and IT incidents can significantly reduce resolution time and enhance incident management. For instance, companies can use out-of-band management (OOBM) solutions to access a secure, dedicated network infrastructure for seamless collaboration. Secure collaboration tools focused on OOBM are necessary to help employees, customers, and leaders stay on the same page.

‍ Critical IT incidents demand swift and reliable communication. Yet, conventional communication channels often rely on the same infrastructure under attack. This vulnerability was starkly illustrated by the 2024 CrowdStrike incident, where a faulty software upgrade triggered a global IT outage, costing businesses an estimated $5.4 billion. The incident exposed a critical flaw: relying on "in band" communication for incident response.

‍ Communication systems are the backbone of defense operations, keeping decision-makers and personnel connected to ensure missions run smoothly and don't fall apart. According to the second annual State of Military Communications study, 97% of military personnel experience connectivity loss at some point.

As we step into the new year, we’re excited to introduce updates that enhance your workspace security, increase team productivity, and make the work of Rocket.Chat admins easier and more streamlined. Let’s dive into the latest updates that will help you stay organized and connected like never before.