Cyber security expert Ian Dickenson from A1 SEO Glasgow delves into the potential reasons why Instagram and Facebook might go down, shedding light on the complexities of digital infrastructure and the implications for users and businesses alike.
Cyber Attacks
One of the leading causes of outages for major online platforms is cyber attacks. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are prime targets for hackers due to their vast user base and the wealth of data they possess. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, where servers are overwhelmed with a flood of internet traffic, can cripple a platform’s functionality. While these tech giants have robust security measures, the sophistication of cyber threats continues to evolve, posing a constant challenge.
Technical Glitches
The intricacy of the technology underpinning these platforms means that even minor coding errors can lead to significant disruptions. Regular updates and new feature rollouts can inadvertently introduce bugs that affect stability. Given the scale at which Facebook and Instagram operate, even a small glitch can escalate into a major outage, affecting millions of users globally.
Server Overloads
Instagram and Facebook handle an enormous amount of data and user interactions every second. Despite their advanced infrastructure, servers can sometimes be overloaded, especially during peak usage times or when a new, highly engaging feature is launched. Server overloads can slow down or completely halt services, leading to outages.
Third-Party Service Failures
These platforms rely on a network of third-party services for various functionalities, from cloud storage to data processing. If one of these services experiences an outage, it can have a domino effect, causing disruptions on Instagram and Facebook. This interdependence on external services highlights the complex web of digital dependencies in today’s tech landscape.
Estimating Losses
To estimate the losses, we can look at the companies’ earnings reports. For example, if Facebook reported $86 billion in revenue for 2020, this breaks down to approximately $235 million per day.
If an outage lasts for a few hours, we can calculate the proportional loss based on the daily revenue. For instance, a six-hour outage would represent a quarter of a day, so the potential lost revenue could be around $58.75 million for that day, considering only the daily average revenue.
Implications and Moving Forward
For businesses, these outages underscore the importance of diversifying digital strategies, relying solely on one or two platforms for client engagement or marketing can be risky. Developing a comprehensive digital presence across multiple platforms can mitigate the impact of such outages.
Additionally, these incidents serve as a reminder of the fragility of our digital infrastructure. They highlight the need for ongoing investment in cybersecurity, robust server architectures, and disaster recovery plans.
