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Failure of digital service providers

Digital service providers are companies that provide digital services, such as online marketplaces, search engines, cloud computing, social networks, managed security services and trust-based services (e.g. electronic signatures). In the event of a failure, one of these services is no longer accessible to users.

Causes

Consequences

What can you do?

BEFORE

Are you heavily dependent on one of these services? In that case, find out what alternatives are available in the event of a failure

DURING

Has there been an incident? Do not keep trying to use the service. Find out more via the channels of your service provider. 

Impact and probability 

The figures relating to probability and impact describe a extreme failure of digital service providers. The BNRA theoretically describes such a scenario as follows: 

  • A failure at a cloud service provider affects digital services around the world.  
  • The failure lasts more than one day.  

How should you interpret these results? 

Within the BNRA, experts assessed three scenarios for each risk: considerable, major or extreme. On each page, you will find the results of the scenario with the highest score based on the combination of likelihood and impact. This does not mean that this scenario will occur or is the most likely. Read more here about how to correctly interpret the results. 

Probability

Weak

Human impact

Very weak

Societal impact

Weak

Environmental impact

No impact

Financial impact

Weak

What do the authorities do? 

 
The Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (IBPT) and the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium (CCB) ensure that digital service providers take the necessary measures to manage cybersecurity risks. These essential service providers also have to report any significant incidents that affect their IT systems.