Global Failure of ICT due to Solar Storm: A Worst Case Scenario Ahead

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) devices operate within the atmosphere around the earth as part of their global network. They are therefore subjected to all the natural activities that take place in this global space. Solar storm activities continue to increase in intensity and NASA has issued a warning that a powerful solar storm may hit the earth sometime in 2012. This has the potential to lead to ICTs devices not functioning at all if this happens. In this paper a worst case scenario of this storm, if it was to happen, is discussed with its pros and cons.