# When digital systems fail: a report by ITU, UNDRR & the Hub
**Date de l'événement :** 05/05/2026
* Publié le 05/05/2026

### Image
![No wifi connection concept. Man near broken wi fi router cartoon flat vector illustration.](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/memory-sp-pr.appspot.com/o/prod%2F1y7CgDOTakHDiB3dgoi0%2FprojectsMedias%2FQ4b3aBRqjGKgpAGz0drG%2Fthumbs%2Fshutterstock_2356253479_g3fuf_1600x900.png?alt=media&token=8c7d0a0b-63ac-48b4-95b2-a683c98c9933) 

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As our professional and personal lives are increasingly dependent on often invisible digital infrastructure, and as analogue alternatives are either poorly maintained or even sunsetted, this report's first ambition is to provide a clear overview of the risks threatening the integrity of digital systems at an international level. Severe solar storm like the one that grazed our planet in 2012 could disable satellites, disrupt navigation systems, and destabilize energy grids, with recovery times measured in months. Extreme weather events, whose frequency increases with climate change, could overwhelm data centers, leading to mobile service outages, as well as failures in healthcare systems and financial transactions. In the meantime, earthquakes or other natural hazards can sever vital Internet connections, slowing business operations and leaving entire nations offline for weeks.  
  
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The group of experts calls on policymakers, the private sector, and civil society to act now to provide against these risks before they compound through global commitment and coordinated action, across nations, as well as public and private stakeholders.  
These suggestions articulate around six priorities for safeguarding critical digital infrastructure:

1.  **Build knowledge**: Identify vulnerabilities, map cross-sector dependencies, develop models for potential chain reactions, and maintain analogue skills.
2.  **Update risk management**: Treat non intentional digital disruptions as a core risk by updating legal and disaster risk frameworks and incentives.
3.  **Consider strengthening international standards**: Establish robust fallback systems and conduct joint multi sector scenario planning.
4.  **Ramp up proactive coordination on critical risks**: Proactively coordinate on high impact risks affecting space weather, submarine cables, satellites, and data centres.
5.  **Strengthen societal resilience**: Equip communities and organizations to withstand and recover from digital disruptions by fostering adaptive capacities.
6.  **Build trust**: Build capacity, convene stakeholders, and promote shared awareness and accountability across sectors and borders.

**Pour lire l'article complet, cliquez sur le lien ci-dessous :** [When digital systems fail: a report by ITU, UNDRR & the Hub](https://www.sciencespo.fr/psia-innovation-hub/news/when-digital-systems-fail-report-itu-undrr-tech-hub/)

## Auteur(s)
Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Kamal Kishore, Jan Verlin

### Date
05/05/2026

### Document(s) associé(s)
![itu-undrr-psia-hub-when-digital-systems-faiI.pdf](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/memory-sp-pr.appspot.com/o/prod%2F1y7CgDOTakHDiB3dgoi0%2FprojectsMedias%2FQ4b3aBRqjGKgpAGz0drG%2Fitu-undrr-psia-hub-when-digital-systems-faiI_y6fra.pdf?alt=media&token=6b79e511-325b-4b93-ba0d-b140813ec765) 

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Mentalmind / Shutterstock

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