China and Russia reported zero technical glitches in corporate computers, banks, and airlines following the big widespread IT outage linked to Microsoft services Friday morning, thanks to their local technologies.
The disruptions were caused by a single update from Austin-based CrowdStrike, a major provider of malware and virus protection to a wide range of businesses, that affected Windows-based computers globally.
Millions of Microsoft Windows users across the world have encountered the “Blue Screen of Death” problem, which causes their computers to shut down or restart.
The Beijing airport and Chinese airlines both maintained that their operations were unaffected by the IT failures.
According to a report on Chinese state media source CGTN, major Chinese airlines such as Hainan Airlines, Air China, China Southern Airlines, and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) revealed that they faced no issues as a result of the global IT glitch because they employ separate systems.
Over the years, China has taken concerted efforts to lessen its reliance on Western service providers such as Microsoft and cybersecurity businesses such as CrowdStrike. It intends to phase out the usage of Microsoft’s Windows operating system and foreign-made database software on domestic PCs.
The country established an open platform to help hasten the development of a native desktop operating system. Kylinsoft, a state-owned technology company, is working with over ten Chinese enterprises.
Russia’s Digital Communications Ministry said Friday that airlines and banks in the country did not appear to be affected by a widespread Microsoft outage that has disrupted flights and business around the world, citing Moscow’s measures against Western sanctions as a buffer against the digital chaos.
“At the moment, the ministry has not received reports of system failures at Russian airports,” Russia’s Digital Communications Ministry said in a statement circulated by the state-run news agency TASS.
Rosaviatsia, Russia’s federal aviation regulator, stated that the global outage had no impact on any domestic airlines.
“The situation with Microsoft once again shows the importance of import substitution of foreign software, primarily at critical information infrastructure facilities,” according to the Digital Communications Ministry.
Russia has attempted to replace foreign goods imports in important sectors of the economy since 2014, when relations with the West deteriorated due to the annexation of Crimea and support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.
The Kremlin declared on Friday that its systems were operational and unaffected by the Microsoft outage.
Microsoft said that it would cease new sales and pull back activities in Russia shortly after the start of the Russia-Ukraine armed conflict in February 2022.