When Technology Fails: Lessons from the CrowdStrike Incident

Written by Juan Carlos Bosacoma, CEO of CIO Landing

Recently, the world experienced a significant technology disruption due to an incident involving CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity company. This event, while not affecting our clients, offers valuable lessons on the interconnectedness of our technology and the importance of robust cybersecurity practices. Let’s break down what happened and why it matters in simple terms.

What Happened with CrowdStrike?

CrowdStrike, a company based in Austin, Texas, provides cybersecurity software to protect computers from hackers and online threats. On a regular Thursday, they released a software update for their product, Falcon Sensor. This update was intended to improve the software. Instead, it caused computers running Microsoft Windows to crash and reboot continuously, leading to a phenomenon known as the “blue screen of death.”

This issue didn’t affect Apple or Linux machines but caused major problems for many organizations worldwide, including airlines, hospitals, and retailers. People couldn’t check in for flights, emergency lines were down, and surgeries had to be canceled because of this flawed update.

Why Is This Incident Important?

The CrowdStrike incident is crucial because it highlights how fragile our technology infrastructure can be. When widely used software encounters a problem, it can have a ripple effect, causing disruptions in various sectors. This event wasn’t a cyberattack, but it showed us how devastating an actual cyberattack could be if it hit such essential systems.  Imagine being at the airport, ready for a vacation, and suddenly finding out your flight is canceled due to a computer issue. Or being in a hospital waiting for a scheduled surgery that gets postponed. These are real hardships people face, and our hearts go out to them.

Why We Shouldn’t Discontinue Security Services

1. Cyber Criminals Are Opportunistic: If people disable security measures to avoid issues like this, cyber criminals will take advantage of the situation. They are always looking for vulnerabilities to exploit.

2. Ongoing Protection: Security software is essential in protecting against malware, ransomware, and other cyber threats. Disabling these defenses leaves systems open to attacks.

3. Regular Updates Are Necessary: While this update caused problems, regular updates are crucial for improving security and fixing vulnerabilities. It’s like getting a vaccine to protect against diseases—sometimes there are side effects, but the protection is necessary.

Importance of Testing Patches and Updates

The CrowdStrike incident also emphasizes the importance of thoroughly testing software updates before they are released. Companies need to ensure that updates do not introduce new problems. This process includes rigorous testing in different environments to catch any potential issues.

How CIO Landing Proactively Protects Clients

At CIO Landing, we prioritize the safety and reliability of our clients’ systems. Here’s what we do:

1. Rigorous Testing: We thoroughly test all updates and patches in controlled environments before deploying them to our clients’ systems. This helps us identify and resolve any issues beforehand.

2. Continuous Monitoring: We monitor our clients’ systems to detect and address potential threats quickly. Our proactive approach ensures that we are prepared to handle any security challenges that arise.

3. Client Communication: We maintain open communication with our clients, keeping them informed about updates and security measures. This transparency helps build trust and ensures that clients understand the importance of the steps we take to protect their systems.

The CrowdStrike incident serves as a stark reminder of how interconnected and vulnerable our technology infrastructure can be. While it caused significant disruptions, it also highlights the importance of maintaining robust cybersecurity measures and the need for thorough testing of software updates.  At CIO Landing, we are committed to protecting our clients’ systems and ensuring their business continuity. By learning from incidents like this, we can continue to improve our practices and provide the best possible service to our clients.

If the recent CrowdStrike incident has made you think about the reliability and security of your IT systems, and you are not a current client of ours, now is the time to act. At CIO Landing, we go beyond IT support to prepare your business for tomorrow by understanding your needs today. Don’t wait for a disruption to affect your operations—be proactive and protect your business now.

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Discover how our comprehensive cybersecurity solutions and proactive approach can safeguard your business from potential threats. Schedule a complimentary Technology Chat with one of our experts today and take the first step toward a more secure and resilient IT infrastructure.

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Reference: Satariano, A., Mozur, P., Conger, K., & Frenkel, S. (2024, July 19). Chaos and Confusion: Tech Outage Causes Disruptions Worldwide. The New York Times.