The recent global IT outage highlighted the importance of cash in society, affecting card payments in the UK and emphasizing the need for alternatives. Experts warn against abandoning cash, citing its resilience in times of technological failures and urging the payment industry to enhance reliability. The outage, caused by a software glitch, led to widespread chaos, impacting various sectors like healthcare, transportation, and retail, demonstrating the risks of a cashless society. With almost half of Britons relying solely on digital payments, the aftermath of the disruption is predicted to persist for days, showcasing the vulnerabilities of excessive dependence on technology.