Today, a massive update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike wreaked havoc, crashing thousands of machines across industries. Hospitals, airlines, airports, energy companies, and more were hit hard. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of properly rolling out software updates.

The Anatomy of IT Environments

In IT, environments are segmented into several stages to ensure stability and functionality:

  1. Development: This is where the initial coding and testing happen. Bugs are identified and fixed in this controlled setting.
  2. Test: In this environment, the code is tested more rigorously to catch any remaining issues.
  3. Staging/Pre-Production: This stage simulates the production environment to ensure the software behaves as expected under near-live conditions.
  4. Production: This is the live environment where end-users interact with the software. Any issue here can directly impact the business.

Different organizations might have different names for these stages, but the sequence and purpose are generally the same.

Lessons from the CrowdStrike Update Incident

The chaos caused by the CrowdStrike update highlights a fundamental principle in IT: the way updates are deployed can make or break an organization’s operations. Here’s how to ensure your updates don’t lead to disaster:

Step-by-Step Rollout Strategy

  1. Start with Lab Testing: Begin by deploying updates in a controlled lab environment. Use a variety of devices that mirror your actual production environment, including different versions of operating systems like Windows 10 and Windows 11. This step helps identify any potential issues specific to certain configurations.
  2. Move to Development Environment: If the update passes lab tests, deploy it in the development environment. Again, do this on a few devices first. Monitor the results closely to catch any unforeseen issues early.
  3. Test Environment Deployment: After successful deployment in the development environment, proceed to the test environment. Start with a limited number of devices before rolling it out fully. This phase is crucial for identifying issues that weren’t caught earlier.
  4. Staging/Pre-Production Testing: Next, move the update to the staging or pre-production environment. This step is your final checkpoint before the update goes live. Ensure the update performs well under conditions that closely mimic the production environment.
  5. Careful Production Rollout: Finally, deploy the update in the production environment. Start with a small subset of devices to minimize risk. Only after ensuring stability should you proceed to a full rollout.

The Perils of Automatic Updates

One crucial lesson from today’s incident is the danger of automatic updates. While automatic updates might seem convenient, they can lead to widespread issues if an update contains bugs. When automatic updates are enabled, the update can quickly spread across all devices, leaving little time to react and resolve issues.

How to Safeguard Your Business

Following a structured rollout process helps catch potential problems early and ensures a smoother update process. Here are some additional tips:

  • Disable Automatic Updates: Ensure you have control over when and how updates are deployed.
  • Regular Backups: Always back up your data before deploying updates. This ensures you can restore systems if something goes wrong.
  • Monitor Updates: Keep a close watch on the performance of devices after an update. Immediate detection of issues can prevent widespread disruption.
  • Communication: Inform your team about the update schedule and potential impacts. Clear communication can help manage expectations and reduce anxiety.

Conclusion

The CrowdStrike update fiasco underscores the importance of a meticulous approach to software updates. By following a structured rollout process and avoiding automatic updates, businesses can protect themselves from disruptive incidents. Remember, the goal is to catch and fix problems in controlled environments before they impact your entire operation. By doing so, you ensure a smoother, safer experience for your business and its users.