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Writer's pictureGiles Lindsay

One Big Tech Mistake - How a Single Update Showed Our Weakness

Abstract sphere explosion
Abstract sphere explosion

Introduction

Recently, a very large tech failure showed us the fragility of our computer-connected world. On a normal Friday in July, a company called CrowdStrike made a mistake. This mistake had implications on a global scale. They sent out a bad update that caused huge problems worldwide. Even big companies like Microsoft were affected. This event showed us how much we depend on a few important tech companies. One small error can cause big problems, showing how little control we have when systems fail.


The Problem Gets Bigger

As if the update problem wasn't bad enough, fraudsters exploited it. They created fake websites claiming that they could fix the problems. Experts warned that these sites could make things worse for people's computers. The bad update affected about 8.5 million devices and caused problems for airports, hospitals, TV stations, and businesses. The update was meant to make computers safer against cyber attacks, but many showed a "blue screen of death," and the computer stopped working.


Why Tech Leadership is Important

Tech companies need good leaders who are able to handle these problems. Here's why:



1. New and Complicated Risks

Protecting many customers from tricky cyber attacks is getting harder. Companies need smart leaders to prepare for and handle these new risks. The CrowdStrike problem showed us the complexity of our computer networks and how one problem can affect many others.


2. Legacy problems

When companies don't update their computers and programs regularly, it can cause big problems later. The Microsoft problem shows why keeping everything up to date is important.


How Leaders Can See Problems Coming

Good tech leaders must also see problems before they happen. Here's how they can do this:


1. Always Looking for New Ideas

Tech leaders must always look for new ideas and inventions. This helps them make smart choices about what new tech to use and see possible problems, like cyber attacks before they happen.


2. Practising for Problems

Smart tech leaders know they must be ready for anything. They should practise what they would do if different problems happened. This makes them better prepared for real problems, like the CrowdStrike update issue.


Building Better Tech Systems

Good tech leaders don't just make plans. They must also build computer systems that can change and adapt quickly. Here's how:


1. Making Strong Teams

Leaders should create small teams that can work on different parts of a problem. These teams should be able to make their own decisions quickly, which helps them respond faster to problems like the CrowdStrike update.


2. Working Together Better

The recent problem shows why it's important for different parts of a company to work together well. When the people who make software work closely with those who care for the computers, they can solve problems faster.


3. Letting Teams Make Decisions

When teams can make their own decisions, they can solve problems faster. Leaders should let teams figure out how to fix user problems independently instead of telling them exactly what to do.


Teaching New Leaders

Good tech leaders also need to help train new leaders. Here's how they can do that:


1. Helping with Hard Problems

Leaders should help their teams learn how to handle tough situations. This builds stronger teams that can handle big problems, like the recent tech issue.


2. Teaching Smart Thinking

People must consider how one change might affect many things. Leaders should teach their teams how to think this way.


Conclusion

The recent big tech problem showed us that tech leaders need to focus on making stronger and safer systems. With careful leadership, we can build computer systems that work better and are ready for unexpected problems. All tech leaders should promise to build stronger, safer systems to prevent problems like the CrowdStrike issue.


What We Should Do Now

I want to ask all tech leaders to build stronger, safer systems. We must work together to stop big tech problems like the recent Crowdstrike issue. We should share our ideas about what works well. Working alone won't be enough to solve these big problems. We can build a stronger, safer digital future that keeps working despite problems. If we work together now, we can create a better-connected world for the future.


About the Author

Giles Lindsay is a technology executive, business agility coach, and CEO of Agile Delta Consulting Limited. Renowned for his award-winning expertise, Giles was recently honoured in the prestigious "World 100 CIO/CTO 2024" listing by Marlow Business School. He has a proven track record in driving digital transformation and technological leadership, adeptly scaling high-performing delivery teams across various industries, from nimble startups to leading enterprises. His roles, from CTO or CIO to visionary change agent, have always centred on defining overarching technology strategies and aligning them with organisational objectives.


Giles is a Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (FCMI), the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT (FBCS), and The Institution of Analysts & Programmers (FIAP). His leadership across the UK and global technology companies has consistently fostered innovation, growth, and adept stakeholder management. With a unique ability to demystify intricate technical concepts, he’s enabled better ways of working across organisations.


Giles’ commitment extends to the literary realm with his book: “Clearly Agile: A Leadership Guide to Business Agility”. This comprehensive guide focuses on embracing Agile principles to effect transformative change in organisations. An ardent advocate for continuous improvement and innovation, Giles is unwaveringly dedicated to creating a business world that prioritises value, inclusivity, and societal advancement.


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