>I run a software company that deploys antivirus software automatically to customers' computers and servers. What should I be aware of as part of this and what actions should I ensure occur?
I gave it this question and part of the steps included deploying to avoid peak hours to avoid potential disruptions (such as the weekend for businesses); including a way to detect deployment issues and easily rollback the software in case there is an issue; and testing the deployment in a controlled environment before rolling it out to all customers (this would include doing a small rollout before a larger one). All of these actions are very standard and all would have greatly helped in this situation.
Crowdstrike (Falcon) has all possible compliance certifications (they are PCI, FedRAMP, ISO-27001, etc.), and these often include following standard practices of SDLC, such as testing, deploying, incident management, etc. And they are much more detailed than the answer from AI.
My suspicion, as someone pointed out, is that they deployed this update as a small patch, maybe bypassing some controls and cutting some corners. I really wouldn't blame it on lack of automated tests, etc. Only crowdstrike people know how this thing possibly made it to production.
ChatGPT
Obtaining relevant certifications can enhance the credibility of your antivirus software and reassure customers about its security, reliability, and compliance with industry standards. Here are some key certifications you should consider:
1. Security Certifications:
ISO/IEC 27001: This certification specifies the requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system (ISMS). It demonstrates your commitment to managing and protecting sensitive information.
ISO/IEC 15408 (Common Criteria): This certification provides assurance that the security features of your software have been rigorously tested and meet internationally recognized standards.
2. Quality Management Certifications:
ISO 9001: This certification focuses on quality management systems and ensures that your processes consistently provide products that meet customer and regulatory requirements.
ISO/IEC 25010: This standard specifies a model for evaluating software quality, ensuring that your software meets high standards of functionality, reliability, usability, efficiency, maintainability, and portability.
3. Data Privacy Certifications:
GDPR Compliance: If you operate in or serve customers in the European Union, demonstrating compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is essential.
CCPA Compliance: For customers in California, compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) is important.
4. Industry-Specific Certifications:
HIPAA Compliance: If your software handles protected health information (PHI) in the United States, ensuring compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is crucial.
PCI DSS: If your software processes payment card information, compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is necessary.
5. Product-Specific Certifications:
ICSA Labs Certification: ICSA Labs, an independent division of Verizon, provides testing and certification for security products, including antivirus software. Certification from ICSA Labs can validate the effectiveness of your software.
AV-TEST Certification: The AV-TEST Institute is an independent research institute that evaluates and certifies antivirus software for its protection, performance, and usability. An AV-TEST certification can enhance your product’s credibility.
VB100 Certification: Virus Bulletin (VB) offers the VB100 certification, which is awarded to antivirus products that meet specific criteria for detecting known malware without generating false positives.
OPSWAT Certification: OPSWAT offers certifications that validate the interoperability and effectiveness of cybersecurity products, including antivirus software.
6. Environmental and Occupational Health Certifications:
ISO 14001: This certification demonstrates your commitment to environmental management, which can be important for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability.
ISO 45001: This certification focuses on occupational health and safety management systems, ensuring a safe and healthy workplace for your employees.
