Cybersecurity split into three worlds — January 2026 is when it happened
China banned foreign security software. Belgian hospitals cancelled surgeries. Microsoft took down cybercrime.
Three stories in one week: China banned US and Israeli cybersecurity software (Palo Alto, CrowdStrike, Check Point, Mandiant). Belgian hospitals cancelled 70+ surgeries after ransomware. Microsoft took down a $40M cybercrime platform. Three separate worlds, fracturing.
World 1: China's firewall
Beijing ordered domestic companies to stop using foreign security software. "Made in China 2027" initiative. Domestic alternatives (360 Security, Neusoft) replacing Palo Alto and CrowdStrike. Capabilities don't yet match — but dependency is considered the greater risk.
World 2: Europe's hospitals
AZ Monica Antwerp: ransomware forced 70+ surgery cancellations, critical patient transfers. Five hospitals compromised through shared software supplier (Secutec). Systems took a month to restore.
World 3: Private sector enforcement
Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit disrupted RedVDS — $40M fraud losses via cybercrime-as-a-service. A corporation doing law enforcement's job.
What to do
- Map dependencies by jurisdiction.
- Expect threat intelligence blind spots.
- Audit shared software suppliers.
- Don't rely on governments for cybercrime disruption.
- Prepare for a post-global internet.