When Screens Go Blank
Pen and paper resilience for UK organisations
Recent UK cyber attacks have shown that when IT systems fail completely, organisations need to be able to operate manually. Here's what you can prepare now for the worst‑case scenario.
Why this matters now
Recent UK incidents
- Jaguar Land Rover: production lines halted for days
- Marks & Spencer: empty shelves, manual processes
- The Co‑op: checkout systems down, cash‑only operations
- NHS trusts: patient records inaccessible, paper backups used
What happens when IT fails
- No email, Teams, or internal systems
- Payment systems offline
- Customer databases inaccessible
- Supply chain communications broken
- Staff can't access work files or procedures
What to prepare now
Essential contact lists
- Key staff mobile numbers (printed)
- Critical suppliers and their phone numbers
- Bank contact details and account numbers
- Insurance company emergency contacts
- IT support and cyber incident response contacts
Payment processes
- Bank account details for manual payments
- Approval limits and signatory lists
- Cash handling procedures
- Invoice templates (paper copies)
- Payment authorisation forms
Customer operations
- Customer contact details (key accounts)
- Order forms and delivery schedules
- Service level agreements and commitments
- Complaint handling procedures
- Refund and return policies
Staff procedures
- Emergency communication tree
- Work‑from‑home alternatives
- Manual timesheet and payroll processes
- Health and safety procedures
- Data protection and confidentiality rules
Legal and compliance
- Contract templates and key terms
- Regulatory reporting requirements
- Data breach notification procedures
- Insurance claim processes
- Audit trail documentation
Physical resources
- Paper, pens, calculators, staplers
- Filing cabinets and folders
- Whiteboards and flipcharts
- Mobile phones and chargers
- Cash float for emergency payments
How to implement this
1
Audit your critical processes
Identify what absolutely must continue if IT fails. Focus on customer service, payments, and legal obligations.
2
Create offline versions
Print essential forms, contact lists, and procedures. Store them in a secure, accessible location.
3
Train key staff
Ensure at least two people in each department know the manual processes. Practice with tabletop exercises.
4
Test and update regularly
Review and update your offline procedures quarterly. Test them with a "no IT" day exercise.
Need help preparing?
We can help you create a practical business continuity plan that works when IT fails completely.