The recent global technical issue at CrowdStrike, which caused a disruption in Microsoft services and affected over 9 million Windows devices, has brought to light a critical problem in the era of globalization and the Internet: the excessive reliance on large multinational companies (especially Chinese and American) for centralized management of our technological infrastructure services. This incident, impacting online stores, airports, banks, stock exchanges, hospitals, and many other important businesses and organizations, highlights the vulnerability associated with digital centralization.
The Risk of Centralization
Relying on a single provider for multiple essential services can result in devastating consequences in the event of any failure, no matter how insignificant. Last week’s service interruption at Microsoft is a clear example of the dangers associated with centralizing digital operations in the hands of a few tech giants. The key to protection lies in diversifying and implementing robust cyber resilience strategies to minimize these risks.
Strategies to Mitigate Risks:
Variety of Providers: Employing multiple providers for different services decreases the likelihood of a total disruption. Especially European and Spanish providers that allow for investments and technology to stay close to us.
Redundant Backups: Ensuring that all critical operations are backed up on independent platforms. Having backups with providers other than the main ones is vital to secure data in severe contingencies.
Continuous Risk Assessment: Conducting regular audits and risk assessments to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Proximity Data Centers: Strengthening Spanish digital sovereignty
Major American companies concentrate many data centers in their territory, although they have expanded with data centers in other countries, they are still American companies that take their money out of Europe and Spain. In addition, contracting services with multinational corporations can lead to what is known as vendor lock-in, where competition disappears and prices rise.
Given that most data center servers are located in the United States (39.2%), followed by countries like Germany (11%), Russia (6.7%), France (3.9%), and Turkey (3.7%), it is crucial to strengthen digital sovereignty in Spain through proximity data centers. This ensures greater control over information, facilitates compliance with local laws, and simplifies data management.
Advantages of Proximity Data Centers:
For Businesses: Greater information protection, prevention of misuse, and greater independence from external providers. Access to housing services and also low access latency.
For Citizens: Ensures more secure privacy, protects personal information, and offers increased security against cyber attacks and other digital risks.
Sustainable Local Solutions
Relying on cloud and bare-metal infrastructure companies like Stackscale, which offer exclusive computing solutions with guarantees in data centers in Spain and Europe, is a viable and sustainable alternative. Stackscale, integrated into Grupo Aire, can provide housing solutions in their own data centers in Madrid, Malaga, Toledo, Alicante, and the Canary Islands, offering a local and sustainable alternative.
In conclusion, digital centralization in the hands of foreign multinational companies poses significant risks to both security and sustainability. Diversifying providers and relying on local data centers may be key to ensuring digital sovereignty and reducing environmental impact, thus strengthening Spain’s technological infrastructure.