Microsoft hosts cybersecurity event to improve Windows security

In the wake of the CrowdStrike service outage that brought the Internet to its knees, Microsoft is hosting an event aimed at ensuring such an incident never happens again.

CrowdStrike bricked millions of Windows PCs when it released a faulty update that required physical access to a machine to roll back. While physical access isn’t an issue for desktop computers, it can pose a much bigger challenge for cloud companies and server farms.

The CrowdStrike incident was so devastating largely because the cybersecurity firm’s software runs at the kernel level, or the lowest level of the Windows operating system. Microsoft has already expressed displeasure with the situation, blaming a deal with the EU for the current status quo, in which third-party companies have the same low-level access to Windows internals as Microsoft does.

According to Aidan Marcuss, Microsoft’s vice president of Windows and devices, Microsoft wants to improve the situation and will host an event at its headquarters in Redmond, Washington, on September 10. CrowdStrike, as well as other “key partners,” will be present, with the goal of finding ways to protect Windows and improve resilience.

On September 10, 2024, Microsoft will host a Windows Endpoint Security Ecosystem Summit at our headquarters in Redmond, Washington. Microsoft, CrowdStrike, and key partners delivering endpoint security technologies will come together to discuss how to improve resiliency and protect mutual customers’ critical infrastructure. Our goal is to discuss concrete steps we will all take to improve the security and resiliency of our joint customers.

CrowdStrike’s service outage in July 2024 provides us with important lessons that we can apply as an ecosystem. Our conversations will focus on improving security and safe deployment practices, designing systems that are resilient, and working together as a thriving community of partners to best serve customers now and in the future.

Microsoft says government representatives will also be present.

In addition to ecosystem partners, Microsoft will invite government representatives to ensure the highest level of transparency in community collaboration to deliver safer and more trusted technology for all. The Windows Endpoint Security Ecosystem Summit is expected to lead to next steps in short- and long-term actions and initiatives to follow, with improved security and resilience as our collective goal. We will share more updates on these conversations after the event.

Hopefully, Microsoft and its partners can find ways to improve Windows security while also protecting the operating system from CrowdStrike-style bugs.