This article shares expert insight on the CrowdStrike outage from a recent interview with Managed Solutions Director of Security and Identity Management, Richard Swaisgood.
In a recent interview, Richard Swaisgood from Managed Solution provided a 
detailed overview of the CrowdStrike outage that impacted organizations globally.
Continue reading to delve into the outage's immediate effects, Microsoft’s collaboration with third-party vendors, and the essential lessons learned for the business community.
The recent CrowdStrike outage primarily affected Windows 10 and newer workstations and server products due to a Windows Update. According to Richard, CrowdStrike released a "rapid response" update, which, unlike typical software updates, is a definition or signature file guiding antivirus or EDR systems on what to detect.
These updates usually bypass rigorous testing to address active threats swiftly. However, this update did not follow standard testing and validation processes, leading to boot failures and devices stuck in a boot loop, including critical servers in Azure, AWS, and GCP.
Microsoft collaborates closely with third-party security vendors like CrowdStrike. Upon receiving reports of the issue, Microsoft worked with CrowdStrike to identify the problem and develop a remediation plan.
Advisories were posted on Azure, and remediation information was shared with partners like Managed Solution. Engineers were deployed to help remediate affected workstations and servers, although the fix required manual intervention.
Managed Solution had two clients using CrowdStrike, both of whom experienced significant impacts. The team mobilized staff to address the issues, working tirelessly to bring clients' systems back online.
They coordinated with internal IT staff and leveraged partnerships to expedite the remediation process.
Managed Solution identified the issue through their partnership with Microsoft, who provided the necessary fix. Despite primarily using SentinelOne, Managed Solution's internal and client IT staff worked diligently to restore systems for the affected clients.
Managed Solution quickly reached out to Microsoft, obtained the fix, and disseminated the information internally.
Teams worked through the night to implement the remediation, showcasing the company's proactive approach and efficient collaboration with Microsoft.
Thanks to the hard work of these engineers, our clients were able to get back-up and running with their data both restored and secured. Our team received the following feedback after achieving this remediation:
“I wanted to take a moment to thank each of you for all of your assistance with the remediation efforts around the CrowdStrike debacle that took place last week.
Some of you were up overnight assisting and others driving all over the Denver area assisting with manual fixes that were necessary.
You’re all so appreciated, and we cannot thank you enough for stepping up when needed.”
This incident underscored the value of having an MSP. Managed Solution was able to quickly mobilize a large team of engineers, demonstrating the scalability and responsiveness that MSPs offer.
They paused other projects and reallocated resources to address the outage, minimizing downtime for clients.
CrowdStrike communicated the issue through blogs, social media, support portals, and direct outreach. Despite their efforts, the widespread impact made it challenging to be fully effective.
Nonetheless, they engaged proactively with customers and partners like Microsoft and Amazon to disseminate information.
Key lessons from this incident include the importance of having documented disaster recovery scenarios and alternate ways to access critical systems.
Organizations should focus on communication and recovery plans, ensuring multiple communication methods and documenting all processes.
The incident has refocused attention on ensuring vendors follow best practices for updates and have proper controls in place.
Managed Solution already emphasizes these questions with their vendors and clients, but continuous evaluation and transparency are crucial.
The rapid response update was intended for emerging threats, but it was not responding to an active threat. This distinction made the impact worse, as the update was for threat markers, not direct threat mitigation.
Essential criteria for evaluating security vendors include a commitment to industry best practices, especially for update rollouts, and having control over updates.
Security products need high-level permissions, so strict deployment and update practices are necessary to prevent widespread issues.
Best practices for integrating Microsoft security solutions with third-party vendors include ensuring minimal disruption during outages, having robust disaster recovery plans, and alternate communication methods.
Organizations should have detailed disaster recovery plans, document all steps and responsible parties, and ensure multiple communication methods.
Avoiding single points of failure by diversifying security measures and planning for various scenarios is also crucial.
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint is a solid EDR solution built into Windows. It integrates well with the OS and has minimal impact, making it a reliable option for organizations already using Microsoft products.
Tools like Endpoint Analytics (related to Intune) and Azure Monitor provide valuable insights into device performance and issues.
They help organizations monitor trends and extend Azure features to on-premises environments using Azure Arc.
Microsoft aims to prevent similar incidents by potentially restricting developer access to certain OS controls.
They strive to balance developer freedom with security, learning from incidents like this to improve overall system resilience.
Organizations should ensure robust backup and disaster recovery plans, clearly document all processes, and have alternate communication methods.
Regularly reviewing security infrastructure to identify and mitigate potential single points of failure is also essential.
The CrowdStrike outage highlighted the importance of preparedness, vendor management, and the benefits of having an MSP. By learning from this incident, organizations can enhance their resilience and ensure continuity during future disruptions.
Ever wonder what the IT Managed Services onboarding process looks like? There are so many ways to leverage Managed IT Services and even more Managed Service Providers that can help businesses of all kinds maximize ROI for their IT department and boost success throughout their company’s operations.
Today, we’ll be breaking down our very own Managed Services process and showcasing the facets that set us apart. Providing not only an overview of Managed IT Services for those interested in exploring outsourced IT, but a clearer understanding of the specialized value Managed Solution has to offer.
Ranked among Microsoft’s top 150 partners globally, Managed Solution belongs to the elite 1%, working closely with Microsoft to provide tailored solutions for your business needs.
By selecting a Managed Services Provider that specializes in Microsoft technology solutions you gain expertise in over 200 products and services, Microsoft Azure’s complexity requires specialized knowledge to navigate effectively.
A Microsoft specialized MSP can assess your business needs and design a tailored Azure solution, ensuring a seamless transition from on-premise to the cloud. While providing you with access to certified Azure experts eliminating the need for you to hire internal resources and providing you special discounts and simplified billing on Microsoft products.
Our scalable services provide a foundation for businesses to grow and innovate. Whether you need short-term project assistance or ongoing support, we're here to monitor, automate, manage, and optimize your IT.
This type of support is crucial for business looking for adaptability in their technology providers, allowing them to adjust their IT resources based on current demands, ensuring they can handle growth or changes in the market. You will also find that scalability can lead to lower IT costs by optimizing resource usage and minimizing the need for over staffing.
Our clients also tell us that staying scalable allows them to quickly adapt to new technologies and customer demands, all of which helps keep their business competitive.
Our approach to the IT Managed Services onboarding process is rooted in a 'people first' philosophy, recognizing that the success of any business lies in the success of the individuals behind it. The right technology can transform organizations, and as a result the lives of the employees and teams within them.
Our clients experience this through specialized, tailored delivery of powerful Microsoft and market-leading solutions to achieve their operational, security, productivity goals and beyond.
Furthermore, customer service is at the heart of what we do. With our 24/7/365 national help desk support, we ensure that your business is always equipped with the support it needs, whenever it needs it.
Whatever your IT needs are, we've got you covered. From delivering excellence to driving operational and corporate growth, our services are designed to streamline your IT processes.
Our IT Managed Services onboarding process is a testament to our commitment to excellence. From the internal signing of agreements to the installation of Continuum Agents and Anti-virus, we guide our clients every step of the way. The onboarding journey is a well-orchestrated process that ensures a smooth transition for our clients.
We approach each site individually, recognizing that every business is unique. Our systematic onboarding process spans months, focusing on reviewing, systemizing, analyzing, and strategizing to provide tailored solutions. This includes continuous ticket checks, root cause analysis, and quarterly reviews to ensure ongoing success.
Review and systemize (1 Month)
Our top IT objectives align with the modern business landscape, emphasizing delivery excellence, metrics-driven decision-making, employee experience, operational excellence, and corporate growth.
Our holistic approach, powered by Microsoft technologies and specialized expertise, consolidates identity management infrastructure, migrates to geo-redundant tenants, adopts Microsoft Office 365, and implements robust security measures, ensuring reliability, stability, and security.
Managed Solution isn't just an IT service provider; we are your dedicated partner in success. Beyond problem-solving, we help businesses thrive with Microsoft-centric strategies. Helping clients experience a proactive state of IT, high-quality service, and a Microsoft-driven, customer-centric approach that empowers your organization for the future.
Ready to get started? Chat with one of our experts today to get started on your journey to excellent IT operations. Or dive deeper into our blog page to learn even more about what Managed Services entails.
Managed Solution, a leading technology solutions provider based in San Diego, proudly announces its participation in Giving Tuesday by making a generous donation to the San Diego Humane Society. This contribution not only reflects the company's dedication to corporate social responsibility but also secures its place on the esteemed donor wall of the San Diego Humane Society.
Giving Tuesday, celebrated globally on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, encourages individuals and businesses to give back to their communities and support charitable causes. Managed Solution is delighted to contribute to the vital work of the San Diego Humane Society, an organization dedicated to promoting the welfare of animals and providing compassionate care.
In a unique twist to this year's Giving Tuesday initiative, Managed Solution invited its employees to nominate non-profit organizations for consideration. CEO Sean Ferrel, known for his commitment to community engagement, has personally selected ALL five charities nominated by employees. Each charity will receive a donation in kind on behalf of the employees below.
The selected charities are:
The company encourages other businesses to embrace similar initiatives that empower employees to make a difference in the causes they care about. By supporting multiple charities, Managed Solution aims to amplify the positive impact on communities and create a ripple effect of generosity.
About Managed Solution: Managed Solution is a leading technology solutions provider based in San Diego, offering a comprehensive suite of services, including IT consulting, cloud solutions, and managed services. With a commitment to innovation and community engagement, Managed Solution strives to make a positive impact on businesses and society.
For more information about Managed Solution and its philanthropic efforts, please visit https://www.managedsolution.com/culture/.
Credit: HubSpot
...with all of these features and more, your sales team will be more productive than ever. With this app, you’ll empower your sales team with valuable data to help them prioritize their outreach, save time, build more meaningful relationships, and close more deals.
Plus, HubSpot employs a team of engineers and support staff dedicated to maintaining and improving your app.
Note: We only support cloud domains hosted on dynamics.com.
Two-way data sync
Keep both systems updated by syncing new and existing records as well as updates between HubSpot and Microsoft Dynamics 365. Sync Microsoft Dynamics 365 leads, contacts, accounts, opportunities, products and more. Create your own custom field mappings or make changes to your default ones with Operations Hub Starter or Professional plans.
Create sales orders in Microsoft Dynamics 365
Create a Microsoft Dynamics 365 sales order and add in all the relevant information–so sales reps can kick off the next steps in the fulfillment process–without navigating away from HubSpot. Create it automatically using a deal workflow or manually through a deal record.
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Custom field mappings
Custom field mappings are available with Operations Hub Starter or Professional plans. Custom mappings add the flexibility to create your own mappings or make changes to your default ones.
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Close the loop between marketing and sales
Use details from Microsoft Dynamics 365 opportunities, leads, contacts and accounts to personalize marketing emails, segment your database, or send emails on behalf of a lead’s sales rep.
HubSpot embedded in Microsoft Dynamics 365
Utilize tools without leaving Microsoft Dynamics 365. The embed feature provides insights into contact, company, and deal records and lets you enroll these records in workflows from right within Microsoft Dynamics 365.
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Want to learn more about HubSpot solutions for your business? Contact us here. You can also chat with one of our Microsoft experts to learn more about Microsoft 365 Dynamics!
Discover the latest Power BI Updates in 2024! Microsoft Mechanics continues to be a valuable resource for Power BI enthusiasts, providing in-depth demos, tutorials, and insights into the latest features and updates. Let’s dive into some of the most exciting recent updates that have been rolled out this year.
In February 2024, Power BI introduced several enhancements aimed at improving user experience and functionality:
The May 2024 update brought a host of new features and improvements:
August 2024 saw the introduction of several cutting-edge features:
Microsoft Mechanics continues to be a go-to source for the latest Power BI updates. Their detailed videos and blog posts provide valuable insights and practical tips for leveraging new features to their fullest potential. Whether you’re a seasoned Power BI user or just getting started, staying tuned to Microsoft Mechanics will help you make the most of this powerful data visualization tool.
At Managed Solution we take pride in delivering imperative news about all things Microsoft, business and tech. For more exclusive content and news be sure to subscribe to our newsletter here.
1: Power BI February 2024 Updates 2: Power BI May 2024 Feature Summary 3: Power BI August 2024 Feature Summary
Sure, here’s an updated blog post that includes information from Microsoft’s participation at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2023:
In an era where urbanization is accelerating, cities face unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Microsoft CityNext was launched to address these needs by leveraging technology to create smarter, more sustainable urban environments. This initiative has evolved over the years, continuing to drive innovation and transformation in cities worldwide.
Microsoft CityNext was introduced as a global initiative with a local focus. The goal was to empower cities to harness data, cloud computing, IoT, and AI to improve infrastructure, enhance citizen services, and drive economic growth1. Early projects included collaborations with cities like Barcelona, where data from social media and GPS signals were used to optimize city services2.
Today, the principles of CityNext are embedded in Microsoft’s broader smart city initiatives. The focus remains on creating sustainable, prosperous, and economically competitive cities. Recent projects include:
At the Smart City Expo World Congress 2023, Microsoft showcased its latest innovations in urban technology. The event, held in Barcelona from November 7 to 9, highlighted the transformative potential of generative AI and cloud computing for city governments1. Key themes included:
The future of CityNext lies in its ability to adapt and innovate. As cities continue to grow and evolve, the need for smart, sustainable solutions becomes even more critical. Microsoft, along with its partners, is committed to driving this transformation, ensuring that cities are not only places to live but thriving ecosystems that support the well-being of their residents.
Microsoft CityNext has come a long way since its inception. By focusing on technology and innovation, it has helped cities worldwide become smarter, safer, and more sustainable. As we look to the future, the potential for further transformation is immense, promising a brighter, more connected urban experience for all.
For those interested in diving deeper into the world of AI and its applications in the real world, check out the latest content from Managed Solution. Discover how AI is revolutionizing content management, enhancing operational efficiency, and driving innovation across various sectors. Learn more about how these cutting-edge technologies can transform your city’s infrastructure and services.
Chat with an expert about your business’s technology needs.
