Computer Economics estimates the costs of restoring IT and communications capabilities after the terrorist attacks on Manhattan and the Pentagon at $15.8 billion.
The company estimates the immediate impact of the attacks at $1.7 billion, based on 25,000 IT and telecommunications staff working to assure continuity of service. In addition, there is a need for immediate equipment replacement and of contractors and service companies to provide support to in-house efforts.
The long-term impact to end-user organisations is put at $8.1 billion.
"Banking and financial services organisations are among the most information technology intensive industries in the world," the company states. "It is likely that over 100,000 information intensive workers will be relocated to temporary and new permanent facilities. The costs include acquiring and installing the necessary telecommunications and data communications support and replacing servers, computers, workstations, terminals, printers and other equipment."
It may take several weeks to determine the full extent of damage to communications facilities in Manhattan, says Computer Economics. The company estimates a tentative $6 billion price tag for full recovery of the communications infrastructure.
"The cost to access, repair, redesign, and replace the capacity that was damaged or destroyed will of course be highly dependent on how the several block area around the World Trade Centre complex is rebuilt and developed during the next several years," states CE.