Cascading Failures

Cascading failures refer to a process where a failure in one part of a system triggers a series of failures throughout other interconnected components, leading to a widespread system breakdown. This phenomenon is observed across various domains, including electrical power systems, financial markets, communication networks, and computer systems. In the context of information technology and cloud computing, a cascading failure might start from a single server crash, software bug, or network congestion, subsequently causing system overload or system failures in adjacent systems. These events can rapidly propagate, resulting in significant system outages and service disruptions. Preventing cascading failures requires comprehensive system design strategies, including redundancy, fault tolerance, and robust monitoring systems. These measures help in early detection of potential failures and in implementing IT rapid response mechanisms to isolate failures and address the initial failure before it can trigger a cascade.