Last July, one of the world's largest cybersecurity firms, CrowdStrike, released a routine software update containing a bug that crashed 8.5 million computers worldwide. It was the largest IT outage in history, grounding 17,000 flights, preventing doctors from accessing medical records, interrupting 911 services and plunging broadcasters into blackouts. It compromised more than a quarter of Fortune 500 companies, causing more than US$5 billion in losses.
Such massive outages are rare. But smaller outages and data breaches-due to both accidents and malicious attacks-will happen more often in 2025, as companies increasingly rely on third-party software and suppliers. And those disruptions will occur almost instantaneously, with no warning.
The logic is simple: more complex systems contain more vulnerabilities. For example, software engineers today often rely on open-source code, which performs simple tasks like calculating time zone differences. The code is free and saves time. But it can also be buggy and plagued with compatibility problems, leading to accidental disruptions. This past March, a misconfiguration in OpenSSL-an open-source software library that encrypts a large volume of internet traffic-triggered crashes in web services and databases. It took days to patch the issue.
Esta historia es de la edición January/February 2025 de Maclean's.
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Esta historia es de la edición January/February 2025 de Maclean's.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
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A Teacher's Tale
My career in Quebec ended because I chose to keep my hijab
Top Marks
InSaguenay, Quebec, Ecole de l'Etincelle embodies the school of the future
Modernize Parental Leave
Canada's birth rate is dropping, and the cost of living is partly to blame. A more supportive leave plan would make parenthood more affordable
"I spent years trying to learn English.Now I use ChatGPT."
AI isn't perfect, but it helps me write complex emails and understand Canadian culture
MY PREDICTION - The National School Food Program Will Transform Kids' Health
When students have access to nutritious food, they do better in school and life
FOOD
The exorbitant cost of food will have ripple effects on the restaurant industry and grocery stores. The good news? There's a plan to save the country's salmon supply.
MY PREDICTION - New Mortgage Rules Will Drive Up Housing Prices
Looser lending policies will encourage more people to buy homes they can't afford in the first place
HOUSING
Politicians will spar over how to tackle the housing crisis. Falling interest rates will draw young people into the real estate market. And a rude awakening is coming for homeowners renewing mortgages.
MY PREDICTION - Stuctured Literacy Will Help Level the Educational Playing Field
Canadian students have struggled to read and write. That stops this year.
EDUCATION
Quebec's classrooms will take centre stage in the secularism debate. Chatbots will help students create A-plus work, while others will grade themselves. And thousands of international students will be sent home.
