In the fast-paced world of software development, lthe quality and reliability of an application are critical to success.
Even with highly skilled senior developers, neglecting the importance of testing can lead to disastrous consequences. This article will explore why, regardless of the experience of the team or the complexity of the tests already implemented, proper QA and testing remains an indispensable pillar. But let’s take a step back: if there are senior developers working on the application, why is it necessary to perform comprehensive testing? What risks are taken without proper testing activities? Why allocate budget and time to testing, or hire a QA specialist? And if there are already unit tests, why write more?
Let’s quickly recall what happened a few months ago with CrowdStrike. Due to a bug in the Content Validator, a model instance passed validation despite containing a logical error in the content data. This unexpected exception was not handled properly, causing the Windows operating system to crash. BSOC: “Blue screen of death.”
Why it happened
CrowdStrike implements both automated and manual testing for content types and sensor model. However, the U.S. cybersecurity company does not appear to have a guideline for extended testing or rapid-response content. This information was disclosed in later stages. The implementation of new model types in March was intended to provide “confidence” in the checks performed by the Content Validator. Several teams within CrowdStrike assumed that the implementation of rapid response content would not cause any problems. This unprecedented confidence in what was thought to be a minor change eventually caused global economic damage, direct or indirect, estimated at between $1 billion and $15 billion, according to various online sources.
What has Crowdstike promised to improve?
- More rapid response content testing
- Stress testing, fuzzing and error injection
- A new content interface for stability and performance tests
Your organization and CrowdStrike: what do they have in common?
The CrowdStrike incident demonstrates how a lack of proper testing and QA can cause serious damage, regardless of the size of the organization.. The consequences can include challenges to business continuity, difficulties in recovery, reputational damage, and financial costs. Regardless of whether the error is internal or globally visible, the impact can be significant for any organization.
The architectural complexity of modern software systems means that there are numerous vulnerabilities shared across platforms, thus not limited to CrowdStrike. Cloud, microservices, containerization, database configurations, application performance, user experience, external integrations, and security updates-these are just a few of the critical areas where QA is critical. From startups to large enterprises, there are numerous examples of organizations that have suffered severe setbacks from inadequate QA management.
Now what?
When we support clients in testing-related projects, we assess various elements: maturity level, technology stack, industry, and more. Each organization is unique, but our team works with the client to outline priorities, based on the size of the organization.
For small and medium-sized enterprises without a dedicated QA team:
- How is software testing and verification handled? Are there standards and guidelines?
- Is there awareness of the benefits of testing for each module or application?
- Is the testing process optimized to reflect the importance of each component?
- Is an independent team of testers needed?
- Are testing tools and licensing used effectively?
- Is there a pilot application to initiate testing activities?
For large organizations with a QA team:
- What is the current level of testing coverage?
- Is additional testing considered, such as expanded coverage testing, insights and refinements?
- Input on guidelines, QA strategy, architecture, and attack surface management?
- Integration of AI for QA: Are there standards for alignment across teams and projects?
- What is the approach to performance monitoring?
- What are the pros and cons of various approaches?
These questions help us create a customized testing strategy that best fits the needs of the organization and project, both at the application and organizational levels.
In an ever-changing technology ecosystem,, testing is not just a step in the development process, but a strategic necessity to ensure the longevity and security of systems.
Lessons learned from cases like CrowdStrike’s are a reminder to all organizations: investing in comprehensive testing and a well-structured QA team is an investment in resilience and future growth. Whether you are a small start-up or a large enterprise, the key to avoiding disasters and ensuring a smooth evolution lies in putting QA at the center of your operational priorities.