Latest Issue : May 2025
Is Network Diversity an Illusion?
By Peter Aggus
Years ago we expected that telecom (including data) networks were fully protected by redundant backups and diverse routing. Nowadays we see increasing numbers of major failures caused by single point events, like landslides. Why is this, and do we need to change how we build our networks as we place increasing reliance on them?
Heathrow Blackout
By Ellen Koskinen-Dodgson
Just before midnight on Thursday March 20th 2025, a major fire at the North Hyde substation precipitated a power shutdown that closed London’s Heathrow Airport. Power was restored on Friday and flights resumed that evening. Some 200,000 passengers had their travel disrupted on over 1,300 flights, with 120 aircraft actually in the air at the time of shutdown being diverted or returned to departure point. How does this sort of chaos happen and can it be prevented? Airports around the world need to review their risk analysis plans to find out.
What Happened to the Rain? BC’s Changing Risk Profile
By Guy Robertson
British Columbia’s growing population faces a changing risk profile. Old risks remain, while new ones will force all levels of government and the private sector to plan for disasters in future. Can BC adapt quickly enough?