Digital Businesses Need a Crisis Management Plan

TEHRAN (Iran News) Following the outbreak of war, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology temporarily limited user access to the internet to prevent the aggressor’s misuse of the network for military purposes, which could endanger the lives and property of Iranian citizens. These restrictions were lifted on June 24, with Minister Seyed Sattar Hashemi announcing that communication services had returned to normal.

Any disruption to internet connectivity, regardless of cause, inevitably affects virtual businesses. Reza Olfatnasab, head of the National Union of Virtual Businesses, told IRNA that during the recent war, many online businesses in Iran faced serious difficulties. “Any disruption or restriction on internet access has a direct and severe impact on these businesses,” he said.

Olfatnasab emphasized that improving internet quality and ease of access is vital to expanding the digital economy. “During the recent conflict, there were days when international internet access suffered severe disruptions. Even though the domestic internet was available, users still experienced problems,” he added.

He noted that many digital businesses rely on specific software provided by foreign companies and used globally. “Any development work or bug fixes in digital businesses require access to the international internet,” he explained.

Olfatnasab called for proper planning to protect the digital economy in times of crisis, helping businesses remain resilient and minimize losses. “If the digital economy truly matters to the country, authorities need to address these issues; otherwise, we risk losing an already fragile digital ecosystem,” he warned.

He also highlighted broader structural issues, such as overlapping responsibilities among different institutions in the digital space, which delay effective solutions. “Disruptions or restrictions reduce sales and revenue for digital businesses, sometimes to zero. Like any other sector, the digital economy needs profitability to attract investors—without it, there will be no new investment,” he said.

Olfatnasab also mentioned that during the 12-day war, Iran’s digital and communication infrastructure faced heavy cyberattacks. “Online businesses came under severe attack, but thanks to God and the efforts made, they managed to stay operational,” he said.

He stressed the importance of leveraging all available resources to strengthen online businesses and support the national economy. For example, he suggested that satellite internet could be explored as a potential solution during crises, provided it is carefully studied by experts.

Despite all challenges, Olfatnasab praised online businesses for supporting citizens and cooperating with the government during the recent conflict. “Our most important demand remains access to the international internet,” he concluded. “We have formally requested the Digital Economy Task Force to improve this access because if another internet shutdown occurs, the resulting damage could be irreversible.”