China Avoids Global Tech Outages by Focusing on Domestic Providers and Security
China Escapes Global Cyber Chaos Thanks to Avoidance of American Software
On a day when much of the world was facing the dreaded blue screen of death due to computer crashes, China stood out as a beacon of stability. The reason behind this unusual phenomenon can be traced back to the country’s strategic choices in the realm of cybersecurity.
CrowdStrike, an American cybersecurity firm, is not widely used in China, mainly due to its past criticisms of Beijing’s cyber threats. In addition, China’s reliance on domestic tech giants like Alibaba, Tencent, and Huawei for cloud services has reduced its dependence on Microsoft and other foreign IT systems.
As a result, reports of outages in China during the recent global tech meltdown were mainly limited to foreign firms or organizations operating within the country. This contrasts sharply with the widespread disruptions experienced elsewhere, where businesses and government entities struggled to cope with the fallout.
China’s proactive approach to strengthening national security through the development and adoption of domestic technology solutions has been praised by cybersecurity experts. By creating a parallel network or “splinternet” that insulates essential services from global disruptions, China has effectively shielded itself from the fallout of international cyber incidents.
The recent incident also drew attention to the ongoing geopolitical tensions surrounding technology and national security. While some countries have imposed restrictions on Chinese tech firms like Huawei, China has reciprocated by limiting its reliance on foreign systems to ensure its cybersecurity sovereignty.
In a thinly veiled critique of the US and its tech industry dominance, a state-run Chinese newspaper called out the hypocrisy of countries that preach about security while overlooking the real threats posed by global tech giants. The editorial underscored the importance of inclusive governance and cautioned against excessive reliance on a few internet giants for cybersecurity.
Despite the overall resilience of China’s tech infrastructure during the recent global tech crisis, not everything was completely unscathed. Some Chinese workers took to social media to express gratitude to Microsoft for inadvertently providing them with an early weekend by causing system crashes.
As the world grapples with the fallout of the recent cyber chaos, China’s unique approach to cybersecurity and technology sovereignty offers valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of global tech governance.