Future-proof communication: 5 reasons why out of band solutions are a must

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In November 2024, a ransomware attack on Blue Yonder, a supply chain software provider for Starbucks, disrupted the company's scheduling and payment systems across its 11,000 North American stores. Managers were forced to revert to pen and paper to track employee hours and process payroll.

Implementing out of band communication solutions can mitigate such risks for enterprises by providing secure, independent channels for coordination during crises.

Traditional communication systems are integrated with operational networks and are susceptible to cyberattacks. When these systems fail, communication delays are inevitable. 

However, out of band solutions remain operational even if your primary networks are compromised.

As cyber threats become sophisticated, out of band solutions offer a secure, future-proof communication strategy, safeguarding business continuity. Read on to explore the communication challenges and why out of band solutions are essential for resilience.

The challenges of modern enterprise communication

Traditional communication channels are vulnerable to phishing, ransomware, and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. For example, in 2023, a phishing attack on Reddit compromised employee credentials, leading to unauthorized access to internal systems.

Relying solely on in-band communication systems heightens security risks, as attackers can exploit compromised channels to intercept sensitive information.

Additionally, the rise of hybrid workplaces, distributed teams, and multi-cloud environments has made enterprise communication more complex.

Scammers exploit cloud-based services like Microsoft Office 365 to launch targeted phishing emails. In one incident, a scammer used a vendor’s feature to send legitimate emails from a verified source, requesting fraudulent PayPal payments.

Another major challenge for enterprises is ensuring compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and CCPA. For instance, in a landmark case, Meta agreed to a $1.4 billion settlement with the State of Texas in July 2024 for unlawfully capturing and using the biometric data of millions of Texans without their informed consent.

5 reasons why out of band is essential for future-proofing communication

With increased cyber threats and online scams, relying solely on primary communication networks is no longer sufficient. Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report highlights that Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) accounted for 25% of all breaches, often targeting single-point communication systems, underscoring the need for redundancy.

A dedicated radio system or off-site communication system is necessary to maintain secure and uninterrupted communication during critical incidents and network failures. 

Here's why out of band solutions are essential for future-proofing enterprise communication strategies:

1. Enhanced security

Out of band communication solutions establish a separate, secure communication channel that is isolated from primary operational networks.

Robust encryption protocols and multi-factor authentication are integral to out of band solutions, ensuring only authorized personnel can access the communication channel. 

According to IBM’s 2024 Cost of a Data Breach Report, data breaches caused by malicious insiders were the most expensive, with an average cost of $4.99 million. It’s higher than the $4.88 million average for all data breaches. 

By isolating critical communication from the main network, OOB solutions mitigate insider threats and unauthorized interception.

2. Reliable disaster recovery

Network outages can cripple traditional communication systems, leaving organizations unable to coordinate effectively during critical recovery efforts.

Communication networks are among the first systems to fail during hurricanes, earthquakes, or large-scale cyber attacks. For example, Hurricane Helene in 2024 caused 1.7% of cell sites in affected areas across North Carolina to go out of service, highlighting the need for out of band communication solutions to ensure continuity during disruptions.

3. Faster incident response

Out of band solutions provide IT teams with a dedicated platform to coordinate responses during incidents.

OOB solutions integrate with existing cybersecurity frameworks, ensuring access to critical logs and monitoring tools even during active breaches. This ensures faster threat detection.

After the Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack in 2021, government initiatives like the Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative (JCDC) were launched to bring together pipeline operators and industrial control systems partners, improving coordination and resilience across the sector.

4. Adaptability to change

Out of band solutions integrate with hybrid IT infrastructures and cloud ecosystems, allowing enterprises to scale without compromising security and efficiency. 

These solutions are flexible to accommodate a distributed workforce, expand into multi-cloud environments, and manage complex supply chains.

5. Mitigating shadow IT risks

IBM states that 35% of breaches in 2024 involved data stored in unmanaged data sources, where it’s unclassified, improperly protected, and mismanaged. This causes risks related to data privacy, governance gaps, and regulatory non-compliance.

Out of band solutions provide centralized channels for managing and accessing critical data, reducing vulnerabilities.