Responding to Crises with the Help of Information Technology

Information Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the modern world beyond communication: modernising crisis management. From helping people and organisations across the world optimise their use of data through digital transformation strategy consulting, technology firms are also delivering services that help in periods of emergencies, conflict, and even calamities.

The world has seen how technology improved risk mitigation for healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic. But there are other instances where technological developments helped people all over the world handle local to large-scale crises. Here are some examples that prove how the world is becoming much safer through the help of IT.

Healthcare and Disaster Response

When COVID-19 became a pandemic, information technology became the cushion that softened the landing for many industries hit by sudden mobility restrictions. IT provided the needed infrastructure and capability for organisations to continue operating through remote and cloud-based systems. A study by a team of researchers from the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences shows how IT also provided a backbone that innovated healthcare management, which in the time of COVID-19 resulted in more accurate diagnoses, easing the workloads for laboratory workers, faster infection detection, and even vaccine creation. In the business sector, IT outsourcing services and distance work boomed, which saved economies from plummeting.

Disaster response worldwide has also improved thanks to innovations in telecommunication. Mobile app development created avenues for people to report, communicate and assist in disaster-stricken areas. From international organisations such as the Red Cross to government agencies and individual users, new technologies such as TERA, SERVAL, and real-time monitoring and analysis software improved the way societies respond to environmental emergencies. These improvements over the past decade delivered AI-assisted prediction, accurate geolocation, and faster data transmission and analysis, increasing the efficiency of emergency workers and rescuers in saving lives.

Privacy Restrictions on User Data and Fighting Disinformation

Security has always been an issue when it comes to data. Recent years, however, revealed how frighteningly massive data breaches can be and how it can affect the safety of both individuals and the use of their data. While social media has indeed helped in bringing people closer together, it has also increased the proliferation of unverified information, cyberattacks, and malicious transactions.

To combat the rising cases of privacy infringement, data theft and other attacks, authorities, usability research experts and the technology giants each formed countermeasures and regulations. One example is the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, which harmonises data privacy rules in the continent. Other examples such as the use of privacy options for web cookies were formed from agreements between governments and technology providers, brought about by extensive research, usability testing in digital products and services, and legal processes.

Educating the public on verification platforms and tools is continuously gaining ground. Some researchers are convinced even AI can be used to help increase transparency. Despite the fundamental problem of mistrust not being a factor technology can solve, the role of tech in helping people communicate more truthfully, especially within the context of critical events such as elections and social movements, remain.

Conflicts, Peacekeeping, and the Information Highway

Information technology and its contributions to communication have greatly improved in keeping peace. While there are also cases where IT was used to spread disinformation and escalate situations, the more usual usage is to maintain peace and order within and among countries.

For example, to keep websites guarded against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) and other forms of cyberattacks, researchers in CMS development are continually improving the security of CMS platforms. Such services are important for public or corporate agencies with websites and databases that keep sensitive information of a country’s citizens. Another example is the integration of “Peace Tech” tools for social media, providing users with tools that can be used to better understand new perspectives and help create a “borderless” connection with others.

Restricting the use of the information highway for peacekeeping purposes have also been done, such as in the recent case of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. Sanctions on areas ranging from finance to communication can be applied to violators of international peacekeeping regulations, which will heavily affect their economy and pressure them to cease aggression.

Conclusion

Managing a crisis is an integral part of activities done by effective organisations. Technology plays an important role in this crisis management and risk mitigation not just within businesses or organisations, but on a global scale. Decision-makers should consider how IT can help them manage internal conflicts and use it to balance with external forces by upgrading their platforms, enhancing their data security, and improving their adaptability to various situations with new technologies.

Organisations and industry players will do best in responding to crises by collaborating with a reputable, high-performing technology partner. One such agency is User Experience Researchers (Singapore) a digital solutions and mobile app development company in Singapore with more than 10 years of expertise in digital transformation, user research and usability. Know more about our services by reaching out to us at https://www.user.com.sg/contact/