Crowdstrike Outage: Should I Have a Payroll Plan B?

In short, always. Recently, Crowdstrike, a leading cybersecurity provider, experienced a significant outage that left many users scrambling. We’ll delve into what happened, its impact on HR and payroll professionals, and the critical importance of having a reliable backup plan.

What Happened?

The Crowdstrike outage lasted for several hours, disrupting services for businesses across various sectors. While the exact cause is still under investigation, preliminary reports suggest it might have been due to a server malfunction or a cyberattack. Whatever the reason, the outage underscored the vulnerability even highly secure platforms can face.

Impact on Users and Businesses

Businesses that rely heavily on Crowdstrike’s cybersecurity services found themselves in a precarious position. Without access to the platform, companies had to navigate potential security threats on their own, which could lead to severe data breaches and financial losses.

Specific Impact on HR and Payroll Professionals

HR and payroll departments are particularly vulnerable during such outages. Here’s how they might have been affected:

• Data Access: Limited or no access to employee records, payroll data, and sensitive HR information.
• Delays in Payroll Processing: Potential delays in processing payroll due to inaccessibility of required data.
• Increased Security Risks: Higher risk of data breaches if the usual cybersecurity measures were compromised or unavailable.
• Employee Concerns: Increased stress among employees concerned about their personal data security and timely receipt of wages.

The Importance of Having a Plan B

Outages remind us of one crucial lesson: always be prepared. Here’s why having a contingency plan is vital:

Contingency Plans for HR and Payroll

1. Regular Backups: Ensure that all critical data is backed up regularly to an external system or cloud service. This can help maintain access to essential information even if the primary system fails.
2. Alternative Platforms: Identify alternative platforms like APlus Payroll that can handle payroll processing and HR tasks.
3. Manual Processes: Develop manual processes for critical tasks. While this might not be as efficient, it ensures that payroll processing and other essential functions continue uninterrupted.
4. Communication Protocols: Establish clear communication protocols to inform employees about any disruptions and reassure them that their data and paychecks are secure.

Examples of Effective Backup Solutions

• Cloud-Based Storage: Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive can store critical data, ensuring it’s accessible even if primary systems are down.
• Secondary Cybersecurity Measures: Invest in secondary cybersecurity solutions that can take over when the primary system fails. Companies like Norton and McAfee offer reliable alternatives.
• Payroll Service Providers: Having your data cloud based means you can access from anywhere across multiple devices if necessary.

Risks of Not Being Prepared

• Data Loss: Critical data could be permanently lost if not backed up.
• Financial Penalties: Delayed payroll processing can lead to penalties and strained employee relations.
• Security Breaches: Increased risk of security breaches during system downtimes.
• Reputation Damage: Failing to manage outages effectively can damage the company’s reputation and erode employee trust.

The recent Crowdstrike outage serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust backup plans. HR and payroll professionals must prioritize the development of contingency strategies to ensure business continuity and data protection.

Call to Action: Don’t wait for the next outage to realize the importance of being prepared. Start developing your backup plans today to safeguard your operations, protect your data, and maintain employee trust. Remember, being prepared for the unexpected is not just a strategy—it’s a necessity. Talk to your APlus CSS

This article does not constitute legal or formal HR advice. For more information please contact an HR Professional or reference related articles in your APlus HR resource center .