CrowdStrike Causes Unprecedented Global IT Outage

Cloud Storage, CrowdStrike, cybersecurity, Ophtek, Updates, vulnerability, Windows update, , , , , ,
23
Jul 2024

One of the world’s biggest ever IT failures has caused chaos for major IT infrastructures all over the world. And it was all thanks to a CrowdStrike update.

The damage was caused by a content update for Windows issued by CrowdStrike, a major player when it comes to cybersecurity firms. However, rather than providing an enhanced experience for Windows users, it resulted in many users finding that their PCs crashed. The ‘blue screen of death’ was a common sighting and numerous applications were rendered unusable. The CrowdStrike glitch wasn’t restricted to a small number of individuals either, it went all away the round and affected major organizations.

Understanding the CrowdStrike Flaw

CrowdStrike has been providing security solutions since 2011, and it now offers a wide range of security services. These are provided through cloud-based platforms and have seen CrowdStrike’s profile rise significantly. However, their recent update for their application Falcon Sensor – which analyzes active processes to identify suspicious activity – is responsible for the worldwide outage of IT systems.

Falcon Sensor runs within Windows and, as such, interacts directly with the Windows operating system. Falcon Sensor’s main objective is to protect IT systems from security attacks and system failures, but their latest update achieved the complete opposite. As a result of faulty code within the update, Falcon Sensor malfunctioned and compromised the systems it had been installed on. This led to IT systems crashing and unable to be rebooted.

CrowdStrike were quick to identify the fault as a result of their update, and reassured the global community this was not a global cyberattack. With the fault identified and isolated, CrowdStrike rapidly developed a fix. But the damage had already been done, and many systems remained offline due to the disruption.

Who Was Affected by the CrowdStrike Glitch?

The impact of the faulty CrowdStrike update was of a magnitude rarely seen in the IT world. With many IT infrastructures relying on Windows, countless systems crashed all over the world. Airport services were badly hit, and lots of airlines had to ground their planes due to IT issues. Banks and credit card providers were also affected, and numerous organizations were unable to take card payments as a result. Healthcare services, too, felt the full impact of the glitch and struggled to book appointments and allocate staff shifts.

The Aftermath of the CrowdStrike Disaster

Disruption to IT systems was still evident days after the CrowdStrike incident, and it’s expected this disruption will continue. Matters weren’t helped by the simultaneous failure of Microsoft Azure, a cloud computing platform, which also created a major outage.

While the outages were caused by a technical glitch, CrowdStrike issued an announcement the day after that cybercriminals may be targeting affected systems. Evidence in Latin America indicated CrowdStrike customers were being targeted by a malicious ZIP archive which contains HijackLoader, a module used to install various strains of malware.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, this digital catastrophe was caused by a faulty piece of code, and Microsoft currently estimate it affected 8.5 million Windows devices. It could easily happen again and reinforces the need for good backup protocols, such as the 3-2-1 backup method. The CrowdStrike glitch may have been unforeseen, but with the correct preparation, you can minimize the impact of future incidents on your IT systems.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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Boxcryptor Retired: What Are the Alternatives?

boxcryptor, Cloud Storage, Dell Encryption, Dropbox, ESET Endpoint, file security, IBM Security Guardium, Ophtek, , , , , , ,
10
Jan 2023

Boxcryptor, which adds local encryption to files, is the perfect solution for ramping up file security. But now it’s being retired, where should you turn?

Starting its journey in 2011, Boxcryptor has spent over a decade providing enhanced security to cloud-based storage systems. And, for many organizations, it has proved to be a godsend in terms of file security. If, for example, you store files on a Google Drive account, they are secure to a certain degree. However, the problem is that Google still has access to the files. But this is where Boxcryptor has proved so useful, users are able to encrypt files stored in the cloud and prevent unauthorized access.

Unfortunately, since Boxcryptor was acquired by Dropbox, it has been announced that the Boxcryptor service will be discontinued. Accordingly, this has left its users scrambling for an alternative solution.

The Alternatives to Boxcryptor

It’s crucial that you retain control over the security of your files, especially those that are stored in the cloud with a third-party provider. Therefore, if you are currently using Boxcryptor, we would recommend looking into these alternatives: · Sync: Providing storage plans ranging from 1TB to unlimited storage, Sync represents a fantastic solution when it comes to storing files online. Users are able to store and share files securely thanks to the strong privacy put in place by Sync’s encryption methods. Not only can access be controlled on a granular level and expiry dates applied to specific files, but users of Sync are able to access these files from any location and on any internet compatible device.

  • IBM Security Guardium Data Encryption: IBM’s Security Guardium represents a useful alternative to Boxcryptor and comes packed full of security features. Capable of being used in databases including Microsoft SharePoint, SQL Server, Unix and NAS, Security Guardium offers high level encryption alongside multi-specific access privileges to meet the needs of your organization’s infrastructure. Security Guardium also prides itself on its real-time activity monitoring, a function which ensures that any unusual activity is instantly identified.
  • ESET Endpoint Encryption: a data security suite which promises to “protect your data, both at rest and in transit” Endpoint Encryption is an amazing option for replacing Boxcryptor. Endpoint Encryption has the capacity to encrypt not only individual files, but also entire drives to help maximize your file security. As well as encrypting files, Endpoint Encryption can also create virtual drives which are encrypted and the application’s server takes care of controlling access privileges.
  • Dell Encryption Enterprise: already known for having a reputable background in IT solutions, Dell bring their Encryption Enterprise application to the table as a viable alternative to Boxcryptor. Boasting military grade protection, Encryption Enterprise delivers a premier level of encryption through its Full Volume Encryption technology. This solution can be applied to both system drives as well as external drive, a situation which ensures your data is protected no matter where it’s located.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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What Can the Cloud Do for Your Business?

Backup, Backup Strategies, Cloud, Cloud Backup, Cloud Storage, Data Backup, data recovery, Data Storage, Ophtek, , , ,
16
Jul 2019

 

Around 77% of businesses work with cloud computing in at least one respect. Clearly it’s an important tool, but what can the cloud do for your business?

Cloud computing has been steadily transforming the way we work for the last decade. And it’s crucial that your business gets on board. We live in competitive times and even the tiniest of edges can have a significant impact on performance. But what can you use the cloud for? And how can it transform your business? These are good questions and ones that you need to know the answers to.

To help you understand how you can harness the power of the cloud we’re going to demonstrate what it can do.

How Can You Use the Cloud?

Despite the complexities behind the infrastructure, cloud computing is a relatively simple concept. The cloud is a digital infrastructure which is available to multiple users over the internet. It’s your existing physical network, but transcribed into binary code. And, thanks to the possibilities of the internet, it can be connected to from anywhere in the world.

Cloud computing has been a revolution in business computing. It’s a methodology which brings a seemingly endless series of benefits to its users. And who wouldn’t want to sign up to that? But what exactly can the cloud do for you? Let’s take a look:

  • Remote Working: Physical space within organizations is a valuable commodity. However, employees take up a lot of physical space. And this can lead to a lack of space for stock and equipment. But the flexibility offered by the cloud solves this problem. As long as an employee has an internet connection they can connect to your infrastructure from wherever they way. This setup grants you the opportunity to maximize the space you have and offer more flexible working conditions to your employees. 
  • Data Storage: A lot of data is currently stored in the cloud and this amount is set to skyrocket over the next few years. It’s a modern phenomenon of data storage and one that is vastly different to past methods. Previously the norm had been to archive endless optical media and record data to huge hard drives. While this provided an immediate source of data for organizations it was all rather fiddly and bulky. Cloud computing consigns this to the past. And it does this by allowing you to store huge amounts of data in remote data centers which is instantly accessible. 
  • Shared Data: We’ve all experienced the pain of a lengthy download time. But now there’s no need to be frustrated. The cloud has seriously updated data sharing for the 21st Now you can back your data up to hard drives on the cloud and provide instant access to whoever needs it. All you need to do is send them a link and the data will be readily available. And, without having to sit through an agonizingly slow download, the recipient can become more productive. 

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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The Best Data Storage Options for Your Organization

Cloud, Data Storage, Direct Attached, Network Attached, Offline Storage, Online Storage, , , , ,
24
Apr 2018

 

Data is getting increasingly bigger and, while this allows us to analyze data more effectively, it’s also putting a major strain on our storage.

And that’s why so many organizations are looking to improve their storage options. After all, data is crucial for your organization to operate and remain competitive e.g. storing customer details and monitoring their purchasing history etc. Naturally, data storage has become a huge industry, so the options available for storing data have multiplied significantly.

Understanding which option is best for you, however, isn’t always straightforward. Therefore, to help you get started, we’re going to take a look at the best data storage options for your organization.

  1. Network Attached Storage

Network attached storage (NAS) allows large amounts of data to be stored in a central point which can be easily shared across an entire network. The most common form of NAS is an external hard drive which comes complete with Ethernet ports or built in WiFi. These devices can easily be integrated into your network and, with capacities now exceeding 4TB, can store huge amounts of data.

  1. Cloud Storage

Cloud storage is the new kid on the block when it comes to data storage and is being readily adopted by organizations. With cloud networks managed by third parties and all hardware being kept in central hub offsite, cloud storage allows your organization to save physical space while providing quick access to your data. An added bonus of cloud storage is that it provides amazing accessibility when it comes to accessing your data. Not only can your in-house staff access data immediately, but remote workers can log on to the cloud network from anywhere with an internet connection.

Accessibility is vital when it comes to sharing data, so many online services have sprung up which allow you to store and share data securely. Services such as Google Drive, Dropbox and Microsoft Drive grant you a set amount of space online to upload data and provide sharing links to colleagues and clients. While the initial (and free) storage space is limited, it provides a useful option for storing small sets of data online which take the strain off your internal storage capacities.

  1. Direct Attached Storage

Direct Attached Storage (DAS) devices are, as their name suggests, a form of storage which attaches directly to a computer. The most well-known forms of DAS are external hard drives and thumb drives. Capable of holding large amounts of data, DAS devices provide a useful storage option for new businesses that are looking to minimize storage costs, but not run out of space for their data.

  1. Offline Storage

Data is certainly getting bigger, but one of the oldest forms of data storage still has a place in modern business. Offline storage has been around for decades and involves using optical discs such as CDs and Blu-Rays to archive important data. And, although the data is not immediately available as it is with more modern storage options, offline storage is incredibly secure while also being available in the case of a network failure.

For more ways to secure and optimize your business technology, contact your local IT professionals.

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