During a recent IT problem caused by a software mistake, the airline industry and other sectors faced big issues. Passengers, like Anthony Bosman, had trouble getting boarding passes on their phones. They had to use pen and paper instead. This shows how important it is to have backup plans in case of emergencies. Many companies have had similar problems before, so experts suggest having paper-based processes ready in case digital systems fail.
In 2019, Norsk Hydro, a company from Norway, got hit by a ransomware attack. This attack locked employees out of their computers. To keep the business going, workers had to use paper instructions and old-school methods. This event highlights how having manual processes in place can help deal with cyber-attacks. Companies are now being advised to keep printed copies of important information to ensure things keep running during crises.
Some companies are now setting up disaster recovery plans that include paper forms and other ways to communicate, like fax machines, in case digital systems crash. They are teaching employees how to use tools like flipcharts and whiteboards in case they can't use computers. While paper-based processes may not be as fast or scalable as digital systems, they can be good backups during IT issues.
Experts stress the need for off-site data backups and separate networks to avoid losing data during ransomware attacks. Companies like eSilo offer safe data storage solutions to protect important information. When facing cyber-attacks, quick fixes like using mobile broadband routers or other communication methods can help keep businesses running. It's important for companies to be ready for cyber incidents and have plans in place to keep things going.
Original news source: How pen and paper comes to the rescue in an IT crisis (BBC)
π§ Listen:
π Vocabulary:
Group or Classroom Activities
Warm-up Activities:
– Headline Creation
Instructions: Ask students to work in pairs or small groups to create a catchy headline summarizing the main idea of the article. Encourage them to be creative and concise in their headline creation.
– Opinion Spectrum
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups: one group representing the importance of digital systems in today's world, and the other group representing the importance of having manual processes as backups. Have students line up on a spectrum based on their personal opinion and then discuss their reasons for their placement on the spectrum.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write down key vocabulary words from the article on separate pieces of paper. Have students take turns choosing a word and drawing it on the board while their classmates guess the word. This activity will help reinforce vocabulary retention in a fun and engaging way.
– News Reporter Role-play
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs and assign each pair a role: one student is a news reporter, and the other is a witness to the IT problem discussed in the article. The news reporter will interview the witness to gather information about the incident, and then they will present a news report to the class based on their findings.
– Think-Pair-Share
Instructions: Ask students to think about a time when they experienced a technical issue either personally or at work. Then, have them pair up and share their experiences with each other. Finally, open up the discussion to the whole class to talk about how they managed the situation and what they learned from it.
π€ Comprehension Questions:
If companies don't have backup plans in case of IT emergencies, they can face big issues like not being able to use digital systems, causing disruptions in their operations.
Norsk Hydro dealt with the ransomware attack by resorting to paper instructions and old-school methods to keep the business running while employees were locked out of their computers.
Some companies are including paper forms and fax machines in their disaster recovery plans to have alternative ways to communicate and process information in case digital systems fail during crises.
Companies are teaching employees to use tools like flipcharts and whiteboards in case they can't use computers during IT issues.
Experts recommend having off-site data backups and separate networks to avoid losing important information during ransomware attacks and other cyber incidents.
Companies like eSilo can help protect important information during cyber-attacks by offering safe data storage solutions for businesses to store their data securely.
Some quick fixes that can help keep businesses running during cyber incidents include using mobile broadband routers or other communication methods to stay connected and operational.
It is important for companies to have plans in place to keep things going during cyber incidents to ensure they can continue operating smoothly and recover quickly from any disruptions caused by IT issues or cyber-attacks.
π§βοΈ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:
During a recent IT problem caused by a mistake, the airline industry and other sectors faced big issues. Passengers, like Anthony Bosman, had trouble getting boarding passes on their phones. They had to use pen and paper instead. This shows how important it is to have backup plans in case of emergencies. Many companies have had problems before, so experts having paper-based processes in case digital systems fail. In 2019, Norsk Hydro, a company from Norway, got hit by a ransomware attack. This attack employees out of their computers. To keep the business going, workers had to use paper and old-school methods. This highlights how having manual processes in place can help deal with cyber-attacks. Companies are now being advised to keep printed of important information to ensure things keep running during crises. Some companies are now setting up disaster recovery plans that include forms and other ways to communicate, like fax machines, in case systems crash. They are employees how to use tools like flipcharts and whiteboards in case they can't use computers. While paper-based may not be as fast or scalable as digital systems, they can be good backups during IT issues. Experts stress the need for off-site data and separate networks to avoid losing data during ransomware . Companies like eSilo offer safe data solutions to protect important information. When facing cyber-attacks, quick fixes like using mobile broadband routers or other communication methods can help keep businesses running. It's important for companies to be ready for cyber incidents and have plans in place to keep going.
π¬ Discussion Questions:
1. What is a ransomware attack and why is it dangerous for companies?
2. How would you feel if you couldn't use your computer at work due to a cyber-attack?
3. Do you think it's important for companies to have manual processes in place in case of IT problems? Why or why not?
4. Why do you think some companies are now setting up disaster recovery plans that include paper forms and fax machines?
5. Do you like the idea of using flipcharts and whiteboards as backups for digital systems? Why or why not?
6. What are some advantages of paper-based processes as backups during IT issues?
7. How do you think off-site data backups can help companies during cyber-attacks?
8. Do you think it's necessary for companies to have separate networks to protect their data? Why or why not?
9. Why do you think experts recommend companies to have plans in place for cyber incidents?
10. What would you do if your company faced a cyber-attack and you couldn't access any digital systems?
11. How important do you think it is for companies to invest in safe data storage solutions like eSilo?
12. Do you think using mobile broadband routers is an effective solution during IT problems? Why or why not?
13. Why do you think companies are advised to teach employees how to use tools like flipcharts and whiteboards in case of emergencies?
14. How do you think having backup plans in place can benefit a company in the long run?
15. What are some ways individuals can protect their own data from cyber-attacks in today's digital world?
Individual Activities
ππ Vocabulary Meanings:
Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.
Words
Meanings
π‘ Multiple Choice Questions:
π΅οΈ True or False Questions:
π Write a Summary:
Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.
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