Major IT Outage Sparks Concerns
The massive IT outage on Friday that disrupted global operations could happen again, warns a computer science expert. The crash was caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike, which rendered Microsoft Windows machines unusable, affecting airports, businesses, hospitals, and media outlets worldwide.
The Risk of Interconnected Systems
Axel Legay, a computer science professor at the Catholic University of Leuven, explains that the more interconnected a computer system is, the more vulnerable it becomes. He emphasizes that as software becomes increasingly integrated, the risk of widespread outages grows, as seen with the recent Crowdstrike incident.
Widespread Disruption and Economic Impact
The outage caused nearly 30,000 flight delays and around 7,000 cancellations, creating significant global disruptions. The financial impact was substantial, with billions wiped off Crowdstrike’s market value when trading opened on Friday. Despite thorough testing of new software updates, Legay notes that testing can never fully guarantee the absence of bugs or system failures.
The Complexity of Software Systems
Legay clarifies that the defective patch from Crowdstrike was an antivirus update incompatible with Microsoft systems, leading to the notorious Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). He points out that the complexity of merging different software systems can lead to unpredictable outcomes, as demonstrated by this incident.
Implications for Cybersecurity Investment
While Microsoft may face some reputational damage, Legay believes the long-term economic consequences for the tech giant will be minimal due to its market dominance. He also highlights the EU’s under-investment in cyber security, stressing the need for increased efforts to protect against such vulnerabilities in the future.
SOURCE: Ref Image from Euronews
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