Lessons from the CrowdStrike debacle for your business
Button Inc.
We help government and industry build reliable, meaningful digital services.
Hint: It’s less about software and more about business process, change management, and how your organization handles risk.
On July 19, 2024, a buggy software update to CrowdStrike took down 8.5 million Microsoft Windows devices worldwide, causing them to get stuck on the “blue screen of death.” Flights were canceled, financial transactions froze and tech stocks tumbled.
“What is CrowdStrike?” you might have asked yourself while trying to make sense of your phone’s alerts and nightly news. It’s a U.S. cyber security company with a major footprint in the tech market. Falcon, the software that crashed, is a product installed on computers to detect and isolate cyber-attacks and malware. We enjoyed the explanation of what happened from Toby Murray here.?
This means that CrowdStrike is “privileged software.” It’s the groundskeeper with all the keys to your house, so it can access anything on your property if you’re out of town and something goes wrong.
Sensationalist headlines abounded. Big questions were raised. Is the Cloud not secure? What does this mean for how organizations tackle cybersecurity???
Whether or not you hold a technical role within your organization, we have some good news for you—the CrowdStrike failure isn’t purely a technical problem. At least not really. It’s about business processes, change management, and how your organization handles risk.
Read on for the key takeaways for your business as the planet’s corporations, airlines, and banks continue to fix affected computers. (We’ve added memes for your entertainment, so now you have to click.)
Client News!
Helping B.C. households access high-speed internet
At Button, we love working on projects that help clients track data and reporting—from small data sets, to large complex challenges. A common theme in much of our client work is helping clients have data at their fingertips, and doing the rigorous evidence-based technical work behind the scenes to make sure data is secure, validated, and has appropriate audit logs.?
One of our favourite projects recently was helping the Connectivity Division in the BC Ministry of Citizens’ Services upgrade their portal to integrate data from their older funding programs with the Connecting Communities BC program. The new features allow users to access data, filter by key criteria, download as spreadsheets and create dashboards.
We’re proud to be supporting the provincial mandate of providing access to high-speed internet to all households in B.C. by 2027.
Does your organization need a user-focused roadmap for your long-term goals??Contact us to chat about how Button can help your team evaluate your current data sources and architecture to increase your data’s value and integrity, and build a roadmap for your long-term goals.
Meet the Buttons
?? Meet Button’s Josh Gamache
Josh is one of Button’s fearless full-stack developers.
Josh is Calgary-based and services Button clients across Canada. He became a web developer after years of work as a graphic designer in print and digital. He now also focuses on Dev Ops, data, and back-end development, giving him a well-rounded view of full-stack development.
“I enjoy levelling up or down descriptions to the expertise of the individual clients, describing technical and business details in a way that everyone can understand,” he says.
When not making Button clients happy, Josh plays (and often loses) board games, video and role-playing games with his kids, family and friends. (He has a collection of more than 70 board games and role-playing games!)?
When the sun is shining, he loves city walks, hiking and camping with his family of five.?Josh also organizes the occasional superhero tea party with his youngest child.
领英推荐
Button is always looking for innovative, insightful and creative individuals to join our talent network!?
Each of our projects is supported by a carefully selected, cross-functional team of creators, developers, and subject matter experts needed to delight the client with our work. (And have fun in the process.) Many of us are lifelong learners who have gone through career transition on our path to technical development.?
Community Engagement
Equity in a Changing Climate: Empowering Victoria Communities
Tue., Aug. 6, 6:30pm - 8:30pm | Oaklands Community Centre and Association, 2827 Belmont Ave.
Button’s Jaimie Park is co-facilitating a Victoria climate adaptation and resiliency workshop next week, focused on understanding community members' needs and desires regarding climate adaptation and how we can work together to create a more resilient and equitable Victoria. This event is part of the Climate Equity by Design project led by the Community Social Planning Council, which will inform the city of Victoria's forthcoming Climate Change Adaptation Plan. Register for free.
BSides Vancouver Island 2024
Fri., Sept. 20, 10am - 6pm | Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas St. | $50
Each BSides is a community-driven framework for building events for and by information security community members. The goal is to expand the spectrum of conversation beyond the traditional confines of space and time. It creates opportunities for individuals to both present and participate in an intimate atmosphere that encourages collaboration. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction from participants. It is where conversations for the next-big-thing are happening. Register now.
Worth Your Attention
What We’re Reading: ”Scaling Conversations: How Leaders Access the Full Potential of People,” by Dave MacLeod
Scaling Conversations: How Leaders Access the Full Potential of People by Dave MacLeod offers actionable strategies for improving communication and engagement within growing organizations. It emphasizes the need to include diverse voices beyond the usual focus groups and surveys, particularly in a remote work environment.
MacLeod, with extensive experience leading remote teams, provides insights on listening to all employees, maximizing human capital, and making inclusive decisions to enhance unity and reduce turnover. Ideal for leaders aiming to understand and leverage the full spectrum of employee perspectives.
Further Reading
Stay on top of vital digital services news and tips by checking out insights from our previous newsletters!
DON’T REINVENT THE WHEEL: Or, “The art of looking around to see who has solved this problem before.”
HOW TO EMPOWER YOUR TEAM TO EMBRACE CHANGE:?Button’s four key considerations when tackling the human side of digital projects within your organization.
SPRING-CLEAN YOUR PUBLIC SECTOR DIGITAL STRATEGY: Shake off the holiday cobwebs and hit your goals for the new year by following these four resolutions to make 2024 your best year yet.
AI IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR:?We break down AI’s potential to revolutionize public services—as well as the serious pitfalls to acknowledge when handling public information and public trust.
THE NEWEST HOT BUTTON REPORT: Learn how to rebuild trust with your stakeholders. Download the full, free report now.
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