CrowdStrike: what can we learn from the megaglitch?
A faulty update for the security software CrowdStrike Falcon led to an immense and ongoing international IT outage last Friday. According to initial estimates from Microsoft, around 8.5 million computers crashed worldwide. Thousands of flights were cancelled, banking operations were blocked and hospitals had to postpone surgical interventions. The exact cause is still under investigation but commentators call for consequences.
Digital diversification needed
Radio Kommersant warns of an impending global computer crash:
“This time everything was dealt with reasonably smoothly. Nevertheless, one can't help thinking that one very dark day humanity may encounter problems that cannot be solved by multiple computer reboots. We are inextricably tied to the functionality of the operators that serve us, and are now unable to manage without them. And the worst thing about this is that nobody acquires the skills needed to control these services any more. You'd have to learn too much to keep up with technological progress. The only thing left to do is to diversify the services that are important to us. You have an iPhone? Get an Android as well. Just in case.”
Take the risks of new technologies seriously
The Irish Times would like to see more a realistic approach when it comes to game-changing IT developments:
“The global connectivity enabled by the Internet has brought many benefits and it is impossible to imagine a world in which a deliberate decision to roll it back would be taken. But at a minimum the risks that this type of connectivity brings should be acknowledged and taken with open eyes. This is particularly important as we embark on another episode of remarkable and dramatic change driven by the advent of products and services driven by artificial intelligence.”
Make technology more resilient
We should learn the lessons of this fiasco before something much worse happens, The Observer warns:
“If a single error by a single tech company can cause this much disruption, imagine what a determined adversary could do. Just as the pandemic forced us to confront the limitations of the global supply chains that had been created to improve efficiency rather than resilience, this CrowdStrike mistake should trigger a reappraisal of our networked world. ... We have become utterly dependent on a complex web of technologies that few understand, created by an industry that seems indifferent to the consequences of its creations.”
Create a fair digital ecosystem
The digital world must not be left in the hands of the corporations, TVXS demands:
“The global technological meltdown on 19 July 2024 is a stark reminder of the failures of capitalism and the greed of big businesses. By supporting public ownership or controls, stricter regulation and community-based solutions, we can create a fairer and more resilient digital ecosystem that prioritises the needs of the many over the profits of the few. The time for change is now; the future of our interconnected world depends on it.”
IT outages must cost more
Handelsblatt knows what is needed to minimise the risks:
“Money! That should act as a strong regulatory factor that takes full account of the scale of IT breakdowns in the truest sense of the word. If it's clear from the start that companies will be held liable for the damage caused, they'll tighten their internal security measures. And if their response is simply to insure against it, insurers will insist that they do so.”
Strengthen antitrust laws
Politicians must change the framework for big corporations' activities, Le Temps urges:
“The recent mega-disruption also highlights the heavy dependence on just a few players. The cybersecurity sector is dominated by around 15 companies, including CrowdStrike. Its 29,000 customers triggered a domino effect with near global contamination. The clout of Microsoft and other US tech giants is well known. It is now up to politicians to take the lead to strengthen antitrust laws and international competition rules in the World Trade Organisation and elsewhere.”