Warning from the CrowdStrike incident (Huang Yueyong)

[ad_1]

Contents

More articles by Huang Yueyong:Support EJ Tech

This articleauthorHuang YueyongHe is an associate professor and senior consultant (entrepreneurship) at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and writes a column for the Hong Kong Economic Journal titled “Kemeijin“.

Remember more than 20 years ago, computer experts around the world were worried that when the global time system switched to the year 2000, computer systems would experience large-scale failures. As a result, the “Y2K Bug” did not appear in the year 2000. Instead, it broke out silently and randomly on July 19, 2024. A routine update of the cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike accidentally caused “blue screens of death” on millions of Windows computers around the world.

Large-scale “airplane jams” have occurred in many places in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and Hong Kong, disrupting the services of large institutions such as hospitals, banks, media, financial institutions, and airlines. Hong Kong Airport is one of the “hardest hit areas”. Passenger registration of many airlines has been affected and must be handled manually. News footage shows airports filled with thousands of passengers waiting in agony. Even though governments around the world are paying close attention to the incident, can this be solved?

The chain failure caused by a routine update of CrowdStrike highlights the high dependence of modern society on technology and the potential danger of “single point of failure” (SPOF) in technology systems. The so-called “single point of failure” refers to the failure of a single node in the system, which causes the entire system to fail and then crash. In this incident, since many organizations use CrowdStrike’s security software, a small update error on the other party instantly turned into a global disaster.

July 19, 2024 A routine update of the cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike unexpectedly caused a “blue screen of death” on millions of Windows computers around the world. (Internet photo)

Although many “workers” around the world are thankful for the Windows crash and have posted “blue screen of death” pictures online, saying that they can finish work early to celebrate “Happy Friday”, put yourself in their shoes. In the current digital age, smartphones have become the center of many people’s lives. If all important information and functions are concentrated on one phone, once the phone is lost or the “blue screen of death” cannot be restarted, the consequences are no joke. Therefore, measures such as regular data backup, use of cloud services, and keeping multiple copies of important information have become particularly important.

This lesson is not only applicable to the field of science and technology, but also worth our vigilance in daily life. Taking personal finance as an example, over-reliance on a single source of income is a “single point failure” risk. Many financial experts have repeatedly emphasized financial risk resistance and suggested diversifying personal financial risks by developing side businesses and investing in diversified assets. In terms of health management, in addition to seeking a second medical opinion when necessary, a multi-pronged approach such as regular physical examinations, a balanced diet, and moderate exercise can more comprehensively protect physical health. Home safety is also taken into consideration. Today, relying solely on door locks is no longer enough to cope with the security challenges of modern society. Multi-level security measures, such as installing alarm systems, surveillance cameras, smart door locks, etc., form a comprehensive protection network to ensure the personal safety of yourself and your family.

The example of CrowdStrike illustrates that in this increasingly complex and interconnected world, in addition to relying on experts in the field of technology, we must also take security measures ourselves. However, whether it is changing eating habits, changing careers or making major investments, we should first try it on a small scale, assess the risks, and then gradually move forward. Carefully managing our own risks will enable us to better cope with unknown challenges and emergencies that come with a sense of panic.