The recent CrowdStrike outage has left many businesses reeling, with countless Windows PCs succumbing to the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). The incident, caused by a faulty software update, impacted millions of users worldwide, disrupting industries from aviation to healthcare. While CrowdStrike and Microsoft have since released recovery tools to address the issue, there’s a powerful alternative that can provide a more robust, preventative solution: IGEL OS.
IGEL OS: A Quick Recovery Solution
IGEL OS, a secure, read-only lightweight Linux operating system, allows businesses to quickly recover when Windows endpoints fail. By converting existing PCs to IGEL OS or booting from a USB running IGEL OS, you can bypass the corrupted Windows environment entirely and users, display boards and kiosk devices can reconnect to virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), Desktop as a Service (DaaS), web or SaaS applications without delay.
In a DR scenario, IGEL OS can operate independently of any management infrastructure. Simply boot to IGEL OS, download and apply an evaluation license, and install necessary client applications from the secure IGEL Application Portal to restore access to your critical services swiftly.
Deployment Options for DR Scenarios
There are several methods to deploy IGEL OS, including:
• OS Creator: Use IGEL OS Creator to install IGEL OS on any supported device. This tool creates a bootable USB drive containing the IGEL image. Booting from this drive launches a wizard to guide the installation process, allowing you to choose whether to overwrite the existing OS or install IGEL OS on a second USB stick, preserving the original system and data.
• UD Pocket: A small, portable device, UD Pocket lets you boot any x86-64 device into IGEL OS. It provides a secure, managed workspace while leaving the underlying operating system and files intact. The UD Pocket connects to services like Office 365, Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop, Citrix, VMware, and Amazon cloud-based workspaces, ensuring continuous productivity.
IGEL’s Preventative Security Model
In light of the CrowdStrike incident, the preventative security model offered by IGEL OS stands out. IGEL’s secure, read-only Linux-based environment is inherently resistant to many vulnerabilities that plague Windows systems. This reduces the risk of similar outages and enhances overall endpoint security. By converting endpoints to IGEL OS, businesses can mitigate the impact of software glitches and cyber threats, ensuring a more resilient IT infrastructure.
Breathing Space for IT Teams
Implementing IGEL OS not only restores productivity but also provides IT teams with much-needed breathing space to troubleshoot ongoing issues. With endpoints running on IGEL OS, IT staff can focus on resolving the root cause of the outage without the pressure of immediate downtime, leading to more thorough and effective solutions.
Conclusion
The CrowdStrike outage highlighted the vulnerability of Windows endpoints to software bugs. By adopting IGEL OS, businesses can not only recover swiftly from such incidents but also fortify their endpoint security against future threats. As Insentra, the master distributor of IGEL in ANZ, we are committed to helping businesses navigate these challenges with innovative, reliable solutions.
For more information on how IGEL OS can safeguard your business and ensure continuous productivity, contact us today. Let’s turn disruptions into opportunities for stronger, more secure operations.
