Priya Patel
TLDR: Another global computer failure incident is “not impossible,” Colorado professor says. Here’s how you can prepare.
Key Points:
- A major player in cybersecurity, CrowdStrike, released an automatic update that caused global disruptions.
- Colorado professor Nathan Evans warns that another global incident like this is “not impossible.”
Another incident of a major global computer failure like the one caused by CrowdStrike’s automatic update is not out of the realm of possibility, according to Nathan Evans, a computer science and cybersecurity professor at the University of Denver. Evans explained that the software update had bugs that resulted in a large number of Windows machines freezing, prompting concerns about digital security and the reliance on technology.
Evans emphasized the importance of testing software rigorously before deployment to prevent such incidents. While rare, he warned that similar global failures could occur in the future and urged individuals and organizations to be prepared. He recommended having offline copies of important documents and ensuring backups of critical files to mitigate the impact of potential computer failures.
Evans suggested proactive measures for individuals and companies to handle such incidents effectively, including staying informed about software updates and being cautious about immediate installations until their stability is confirmed. While automatic updates are generally beneficial for cybersecurity, taking these additional steps can help prevent future disruptions.
