A methodology for managing digital crises using risk analysis and contigency planning - Application for the case of the Y2K Problem in the Greek public sector

Modern private and public organizations make extensive use of digital systems (information systems, electronic systems, etc.), which support significantly their most critical functions. Digital systems can offer important and multidimensional benefits and can contribute highly to organizational efficiency and effectiveness, but at the same time they can create some new threats and risks and can give rise to a new category of ʹdigitalʹ crises. In this paper a methodology is proposed for managing these digital crises, based on risks identification, quantification and analysis, and also on contigency planning. The proposed methodology is characterized by wide applicability and therefore can be used for all future massive digital crises. This methodology has been successfully applied for managing the Y2K problem in the information and the electronic systems of the Greek public sector.