Failure of digital infrastructure
Digital infrastructure includes all telecommunications and IT technologies and systems. Familiar examples are mobile networks (such as 4G and 5G) and the Internet. A failure of this infrastructure means that messages or data cannot be sent.
Risks and causes
Causes
Consequences
What can you do?
BEFORE
Agree in advance with your family where you will meet if you cannot communicate with each other.
DURING
- Do not telephone or browse the internet unnecessarily. Free up the network for important calls.
- Are the emergency services (112/101/100) unreachable? There are alternative numbers. Only use these numbers in an emergency.
AFTER
Continue to wait before calling or browsing the internet. Allow the system time to stabilise.
Impact and probability
The figures relating to probability and impact describe a considerable failure of digital infrastructure. The BNRA theoretically describes such a scenario as follows:
There is a nationwide interruption of telecommunications services from a single provider, lasting less than an hour.
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
Strong
Human impact
Very weak
Societal impact
Moderate
Environmental impact
No impact
Financial impact
Moderate
What do the authorities do?
The Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications (BIPT) oversees the safety and security of electronic communication networks.
Electronic communication operators have to report all security incidents to BIPT that have a significant impact on their networks or services. In collaboration with operators, BIPT also takes the necessary measures to guarantee network availability and security, with a specific focus on critical infrastructure.
Every year, BIPT monitors these safety measures and ensures that operators are able to react to incidents. BIPT also proactively implements projects aimed at making the sector more resilient, in particular in the event of electricity outages. The aim of these projects is to keep services online as long as possible, even during incidents.
In the event of a breakdown in electronic communication networks or services, BIPT remains in contact with the National Crisis Center, the Centre for Cybersecurity Belgium and the security and intelligence services, in order to follow up the incident.