How China's tech self-sufficiency came to rescue during Microsoft outage

One faulty CrowdStrike software update to cause global disruptions Friday that grounded flights, knocked banks and media outlets offline, and disrupted hospitals, retailers and other services

The world recently witnessed a kind of tech apocalypse after a faulty CrowdStrike software update caused global disruptions that grounded flights, knocked banks and media outlets offline, and disrupted hospitals, retailers, and other services.

However, one country that is now garnering attention for largely remaining unaffected is China which has developed its tech self-sufficiency. China has been constantly developing its software which it uses in its major government operations. According to information available on the website of CrowdStrike, the company does not sell its products and services in China. In the last few years, China has reduced reliance on third-party, foreign service providers around its cybersecurity and developed local products to be used in its most major operations in the country.

In a statement issued by China’s largest cybersecurity firm, 360 Security Technology, claimed that its products were “more reliable, stable, comprehensive and intelligent”. “When selecting endpoint security software, it is important to fully evaluate its defence capabilities to avoid potential security risks and ensure that business continuity and data security are not threatened,” the firm said in a social media post.

According to a report published in South China Morning Post, the international airports in Beijing and Shanghai remained unaffected while airports in other parts were struggling after the outage caused by faulty update by CrowdStrike. However, international businesses which operates in China ands use CrowdStrike for security purposes reported snag in operations.

Zhou Hongyi, founder of Chinese cybersecurity company 360 Security Group, released a video after the CrowdStrike incident in which he explained how the Chinese mainland Windows users were not affected as the country uses antivirus software developed by China as reported by another Chinese media outlet, Global Times.

CrowdStrike which was founded in 2011 and publicly traded since 2019, describes itself in its annual report to financial regulators as having invented cybersecurity for the cloud era and transformed the way cybersecurity is delivered and experienced by customers.It emphasizes its use of artificial intelligence in helping to keep pace with adversaries. It reported having 29,000 subscribing customers at the start of the year.

*With Agency Inputs