You can configure the NTP client and server parameters to "step" the local clock to the current time if an offset gets too high. But if the offset is less than the maximum offset value of 128 ms, for example, the clock will be changed to the current time gradually. (The gradual change keeps the time continuous). If the clock offset is exceptionally large, however--greater than 1,000 seconds--the NTP server or client will stop adjusting time and wait for human intervention.
Meanwhile, the risk of using any Internet-based service, of course, is that it can become unavailable. So if your organization requires an accurate reference clock to create receipts for real-time transactions or for PKI (public key infrastructure) for authentication/validation, you should set up an internal Stratum 1 time server for more accurate time. These commercial time server platforms, from vendors such as Symmetricom and EndRun Technologies, provide the accurate time via GPS, radio or dial-up modem for internal timekeeping.
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