Challenges in Endpoint Security: Insights from the Recent CrowdStrike Incident

For years, endpoint solutions have been a staple crop of cybersecurity solutions in the mass market. Endpoint offers some key benefits and comprehensive coverage. However, the recent CrowdStrike incident begs the question on the relevance of endpoint technology in delivering cybersecurity in the new era.

Understanding what happened. ?The recent global outage caused by a faulty endpoint update

“Early Friday, (July 16th), companies in Australia running Microsoft’s Windows operating system started reporting devices showing, what is commonly referred to as, “blue screens of death.” According to Microsoft’s website, this happens “if a serious problem causes Windows to shut down or restart unexpectedly.”?

“These disruptions then spread rapidly, impacting companies and communities around the world. The U.K., India, Germany, the Netherlands, and the U.S., reported disruptions. Meanwhile, ?United, Delta, and American Airlines issued a “global ground stop” on all flights.” (Source)

The cause of this outage, which spread to over 8 million devices, came from a faulty update from CrowdStrike, deployed to computers running Microsoft Windows.

Why it happened and why it spread??

The reason for this major outage was that the faulty software update was installed onto the devices itself, which led to the complete shutdown of the computer operating system. It spread so quickly, as this install was part of a major update, and even when the issue was found, it required complicated remedy by IT experts, not something an average user could fix themselves. This challenge is inherent to endpoint solutions, as they need constant updates and management and need technical support by a specialist when something goes wrong.?

Is there an alternative to endpoint solutions?

Imagine a scenario where a similar incident with an endpoint solution could have happened in the consumer or small business space. With limited or no tech knowledge or experience, Windows PC users would have spent hours trying to get to the heart of the matter with tech support, if they had access to tech support in the first place. For small businesses, revenue would have been lost during the down time. For regular consumers, the frustration would have been incalculable. This scenario can, however, be avoided with Next-Gen Cybersecurity solutions, which are Network-native.? Network-native security solutions are implemented in the network of a communication service provider (CSP) and can be used to provide cybersecurity services to the customers of the CSP. Network-native cybersecurity solutions have unique advantages which preserve business continuity and customer satisfaction.?

Some key benefits include:

• No Software Install on the Device – No risk of faulty software update. The device gets clean access to the internet without the need to install any software.
• Zero Touch – No need to update or manage the solution. Everything is done automatically for the end-user with no need for any input by the user.
• No Technical Support Needed. You never need technical support to address any issue or wait for support from IT. Everything is done in the network and there is no wait time for the end-user to get the latest and greatest protection.

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