UK-based security firm Priority First has warned that many businesses remain unprepared for even short-term system failures.

A recent eight-hour blackout hit major cities including Madrid, Barcelona and Lisbon.

Public transport stopped mid-route, phone signals dropped, businesses were forced to close and critical
infrastructure went offline.

With security systems down and no backup in place, many premises were left completely unprotected.

Blackout exposes security vulnerabilities

Mo Hassan, CEO, Priority First articulated that: “The recent outage across southern Europe was a clear demonstration of how quickly things can unravel.

“The biggest concern was how quickly security systems failed; alarms, surveillance, entry control…all out of action. If you have no human presence on-site, you’re gambling with your business.

“If the outage lasted any longer lootings would have been quick to follow,” Hassan concluded.

Priority First has highlighted that UK organisations must take note from this incident and assess whether current security strategies can hold up under pressure.

Overreliance on digital systems, Priority First articulates, leaves businesses vulnerable not just to blackouts, but to cyber-attacks, infrastructure failure and coordinated theft.

“Criminals act fast”

Hassan continued: “We’ve responded to real-world break-ins during outages. Criminals act fast in moments like this.

“A tech-heavy setup won’t help if the tech goes offline. Physical security has to be part of the plan,” Hassan finalised.

Priority First calls for businesses to act fast

Priority First is calling for businesses to invest in integrated security strategies that combine modern tech with on-the-ground support.

Hassan advised:

• Regular stress testing of security systems under power or network loss
• Emergency planning that includes physical response
• Visible, in-person security presence in high-risk or high-value sites
• Realistic threat assessments that include infrastructure failure and not just cyber breaches