In the world of business, downtime can be incredibly costly. When a major outage strikes, it can disrupt operations, delay projects, and create chaos for any organization. Recently, a widespread Microsoft Windows outage brought on by a flawed update impacting CrowdStrike, one of the leading cybersecurity firms, causing significant disruptions for many businesses. However, Recordsforce was able to be operational after roughly six hours from the start of the issue during this critical period, thanks to the quick thinking and expertise of our Director of IT, Billy.
The Crisis: CrowdStrike Outage
Last week around one in the morning, CrowdStrike caused a major outage after pushing an update that impacted its services worldwide. As a trusted provider of endpoint protection and cybersecurity solutions, this disruption had the potential to leave many businesses vulnerable to cyber threats and operational challenges.
At Recordsforce, we rely on CrowdStrike to safeguard our digital assets and ensure the security of our operations, making this outage a serious concern. Within a minute of the CrowdStrike outage, our IT team was automatically contacted by a number of alerts through our system. Billy, our Director of IT, went immediately into our Portsmouth, NH office and learned it was the crash of Crowdstrike causing the issues.
The Challenge: Maintaining Operations
The sudden unavailability of many systems and services posed a significant challenge. Our systems and data needed to remain secure, and our operations had to continue without interruption. This situation called for immediate action to mitigate risks and maintain business continuity.
The Solution: Expertise and Swift Action
Billy, our Director of IT, has been with Recordsforce for a year, and his experience and dedication were instrumental during this crisis. Here’s how Billy ensured that Recordsforce remained operational:
- Proactive Monitoring and Preparedness
- Recordsforce had implemented a robust monitoring system that provided real-time alerts for any potential issues with our infrastructure. This proactive approach allowed us to identify the outage immediately and assess its potential impact on our systems.
- Swift Implementation of Backup Protocols
- Anticipating potential disruptions, Billy had established comprehensive backup protocols and alternative security measures. During the outage, he swiftly activated these protocols, ensuring that our systems remained online and protected.
- Around 2:30 am, Bily started implementing fixes to the servers and systems. There were over 50 machines that he needed to fix manually by pulling the hard drive from the server room; plugging them in, fixing the issue and then returning them back to the server room.
- Billy then drove an hour to our Manchester office and was able to get those systems back up and running within an hour.
- Communication and Coordination
- Effective communication is critical in a crisis. Billy promptly informed our team about the outage, outlining the steps being taken to address the issue and providing clear instructions on any necessary actions. His leadership ensured that everyone at Recordsforce was on the same page and working cohesively to navigate the situation.
- Ongoing Risk Assessment and Adaptation
- Throughout the outage, Billy continuously assessed the risks and adapted our response strategies as needed. His vigilant monitoring and quick decision-making enabled us to stay ahead of potential threats and maintain the integrity of our operations.
The Outcome: Seamless Continuity
Thanks to Billy’s expertise and swift actions, Recordsforce was able to get operational quickly during the CrowdStrike outage. By 6:30 am, all critical systems were back up and running. Our systems remained secure, our data was protected, and our team was able to continue their work without major disruptions. This seamless continuity not only prevented potential losses but also reinforced the trust our clients place in us.
The Takeaway: The Importance of Preparedness and Expertise
The CrowdStrike outage was a reminder of the importance of preparedness and the value of having skilled professionals like Billy on our team. In today’s digital landscape, where cyber threats are constantly evolving, it’s crucial to have robust contingency plans and experienced IT leadership to navigate unforeseen challenges.
At Recordsforce, we are committed to ensuring the highest levels of security and operational continuity for our clients. Billy’s exemplary handling of the CrowdStrike outage is a testament to our dedication to excellence and the resilience of our team.
Conclusion
In a world where technology plays a pivotal role in business operations, outages and disruptions are inevitable. However, with the right expertise and preparedness, it’s possible to mitigate their impact and maintain seamless operations. At Recordsforce, we are proud of our team’s ability to rise to the occasion, and we are grateful for the leadership and expertise of our Director of IT, Billy.