It's truly horrifying how many critical systems run Windows.

It was Windows in this case but nothing is stopping it from happening with any other widely used system that gets online updates. CrowdStrike has root on Linux/MacOS as well after all.

The problem is relying on networked computers for critical infrastructure with no contingency plan. This sort of thing will happen whether because of a bug or because of ransomware. The software and hardware industries are incapable of producing reliable and safe products in our economic system.

Important services such as hospitals, groceries, water treatment plants, and electric grids should be able to operate in offline mode when this sort of thing inevitably happens.

what about all the people that use services provided by people that use windows? should there be some sort of pushback here?