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Is there a comprehensive list of IT failures and their causes?

May 6, 2025 5 answers
Asked by TechieNinja42
I'm looking to create a solid plan for my small company to protect against various IT failures. I want to know if there are any documents or books out there that compile different IT issues and their causes, as well as how those failures might have been avoided. If anyone has insights or ideas about what could go wrong, I'd appreciate your input!
Business continuity IT failures IT infrastructure IT security risk management System Operations

Answers

PracticalPlanner12
There are plenty of lists out there, but they vary widely. Some resources are behind paywalls, while others are freely accessible but differ in detail. For example, the NIST 800-30 document lists numerous risks related to IT, some of which are broader, like fuel supply issues that could indirectly affect your operations.
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BackupExpert67
I've been in IT since 2007 and I can tell you, it’s a learning curve! You won’t find a definitive list, but here are some big ones: Look out for 'black boxes' in your IT environment that no one understands, make sure your hardware is under warranty, regularly test your backups, and don't overlook certificate management—it's critical!

BackupBoss99: Absolutely! Just testing backups isn’t enough; you need to do actual restores to ensure you’re covered across the board.

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ResourcefulThinker44
It might sound a bit quirky, but using ChatGPT can actually help you brainstorm lists of potential IT failures. I used it to draft some business continuity plans for ISO 27001 certification, and it gave me a great starting point!
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InformedGuru88
Honestly, creating a comprehensive list would probably result in the longest book ever! There are just so many potential pitfalls in IT, and it's all about finding what specifically applies to your situation. Just be ready that anything that can go wrong probably will, especially as you revel deeper into the industry.

WittyResponder01: With every page probably ending with 'And then it got worse.' That's the reality!

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SecuritySage25
If you're thinking this is your approach to Business Continuity, it might be a bit overwhelming. It's good to have an awareness, but don't get too caught up trying to find every possible issue; you'll never have the full picture.
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