As I usually do, I set aside a few weeks to reflect on some of the things that happen and that seem relevant to me. And one of them is what happened with the “failure” of the CrowdStrike company that for a few hours kept a significant part of society in suspense.
Our world is interconnected. An intricate web of cables, satellites, submarine cables and software allows us to communicate instantly with any point on the planet, carry out financial transactions with a simple touch on the screen, and access a huge amount of information in a matter of seconds. We live in a digitalized world, where technology has woven an invisible thread that unites us all. But this thread, as powerful as it is subtle, is also fragile.
A simple failure in a software update, such as the one suffered by CrowdStrike on July 19 of this year, could paralyze vital systems. Airports with flights cancelled, hospitals with operations interrupted, companies with their computer systems collapsed, etc… a simple error translated into tangible chaos, a reminder of how vulnerable this interconnected world we live in is.
And the reality is that this is not an isolated case. Thousands of companies, many of them unknown to most, work tirelessly in the shadows to keep this digital framework running. From cybersecurity companies like CrowdStrike, which protect our data and systems from cyber attacks, to technology giants that offer cloud services, such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure, each of them plays a crucial role in the global digital network.
The magnitude of the impact of a failure in one of these companies can be devastating. We only have to imagine a problem in the company Swift, which supports the financial messaging system that connects more than 10,000 financial institutions around the world and online transfers. A failure (for any reason) of this kind could paralyze the global financial system, with catastrophic consequences for the world economy.
And the interconnection that defines us as a society also exposes us to a series of vulnerabilities. A failure in a telecommunications company's server can leave millions of people without access to the Internet. A cyber attack on an energy company can cause massive blackouts. The consequences can be devastating, not only for the economy, but also for the security and well-being of the population.
This risk is aggravated by the growing dependence on technology in all aspects of our lives. From education to healthcare, technology has transformed the way we live, work and interact. But this same dependence makes us increasingly vulnerable to human error, security failures and cyberattacks.
The case of CrowdStrike reminds us of the importance of cybersecurity. We cannot rely solely on the security measures implemented by the companies that use our data. We must be aware of the risks and take steps to protect ourselves:
As users, I believe we must be more than cautious and have our own home backup system to save the things that are really important to us.
In addition to individual measures, it is essential that companies and governments invest in research and development of more robust security technologies. We must work together to ensure that our digital network is more resistant to attacks and failures.
Interconnection is a fundamental element of our current society. It allows us to advance, innovate and build a more prosperous and connected future. But this same factor exposes us to a series of risks that we must be aware of, and that we must face with responsibility and awareness.
We must remember that technology, as powerful as it is, is only a tool. It is our responsibility to use it responsibly and build a safer and more sustainable digital future for all. The invisible thread that unites us is a bridge that we must care for, protect and strengthen so that it continues to weave a brighter future.
But we have to keep in mind that at some point some of these connections may be “broken”, even if only temporarily. And to the extent possible, we must be prepared for this.
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