5 Lessons We Can Learn from The Microsoft Global Outage

While operating companies focus on cybersecurity but sometimes there is a need to look beyond that. The chaos that occurred on 19th July has created sufficient awareness that Cyberecurity has a deep meaning, it’s not just protecting against nasty cyber threats?but also guaranteeing system functionality.?

Let’s study the incident in brief, the after-effects and lessons that we all learn from this incident. ?

About The Incident?

A disastrous tech malfunction caused by a faulty security software update from CrowdStrike crippled Microsoft Windows computers around the world. This widespread outage impacted crucial industries like banking and healthcare, forcing businesses to restart systems manually. The incident exposed the fragility of global supply chains in the face of IT breakdowns and cyberattacks.?

After-Effects of The Incident?

After the incident took place, the clock of misfortune started ticking where every business had to invite bad luck for them. Several flights were cancelled and some delayed because the computers which regulate their services melted down. According to the reports American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, the leading airlines in the country, stopped all flights taking off because of problems with communication.?

Chaos occurred at airports worldwide as computer glitches forced staff to check in on passengers by hand. A traveler in Hyderabad, India, shared a rare sight in today's digital world: a boarding pass filled out by hand.?

Not only airports, but banks were also affected by the incident. There were banks in which customers could not check their transactions or make any transaction. In Australia and NewZealand, customers logging in failed. The retail sector also had to face badluck. McDonald’s had to shut down its outlets because its online payment functions started to malfunction. ?

And what else can you expect from such an incident. Well, it’s time to take extra caution. Let’s look at the lessons we can learn from this incident.?

Key Lessons Taught by The Incident:

1. Importance of Contingency Plans?

The Microsoft incident taught us the fact that even the most advanced systems can fail. Businesses and organizations need backup plans and redundancy measures to ensure some level of functionality during outages.?

2. Timely Communiation ?

Communication is the only way to address a crisis. If communication stops then nothing can be done. Microsoft faced criticism for the lack of initial information, highlighting the need for timely updates and explanations. ?

3. Awareness is very Necessary ?

The incident underscores the fact that IT teams must be aware when handling systems and their functionalities. According to the reports, CrowdStrike CEO apologized for the chaos but if they had been aware then such incidents won’t occur. ?Their IT teams had to be more cautious when handling the update and professionals need to work together to identify problems and keep stakeholders informed.?

4. Rigorous Testing?

Thorough testing of updates in various environments is crucial to prevent widespread disruptions like the one caused by the CrowdStrike update. Like a safety check before launch, testing updates across different systems is vital. This prevents widespread issues like the CrowdStrike incident, where a faulty update caused major disruptions.?

5. Cybersecurity Beyond Defense?

This event highlighted that cybersecurity isn't just about repelling attacks, but also ensuring system availability through robust infrastructure and incident response plans. At the core of a powerful cybersecurity strategy lie three essential principles: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Confidentiality acts as a shield, protecting sensitive information by limiting access solely to authorized individuals. Integrity functions as a guarantee of trustworthiness, ensuring data remains accurate and unaltered by unauthorized means. Finally, availability acts as a safety net, guaranteeing that authorized users can access critical systems and data whenever they need it. These principles work together to form a robust defense against cyber threats.?

Our Final Thoughts?

The recent Microsoft Windows outage caused by a faulty CrowdStrike update highlights the importance of cybersecurity that goes beyond just defense. Businesses need contingency plans, clear communication, and rigorous update testing to ensure system availability during outages.?

That is why in Pitangent, we always take a holistic cybersecurity strategy?to?encompass confidentiality, integrity, and availability to effectively protect data and systems.?