Crowdstrike and Microsoft are grappling with a global IT outage. Stay informed on the latest developments and impacts of this significant disruption.
A colossal IT outage has precipitated widespread chaos globally, ensnaring major banks, media conglomerates, and airlines in its wake. Numerous flights have been grounded, leading to serpentine queues and delays at airports, while retail operations and communications have been similarly disrupted. The underlying cause remains elusive, though Microsoft has indicated it is undertaking “mitigation action” to counteract the “lingering impact” of the disruption. Both Australia’s home affairs ministry and American Airlines have suggested the outage may be linked to an issue at the global cybersecurity firm, Crowdstrike. Below is a detailed account of the current situation.
What precipitated this event?
The exact catalyst remains murky. A spokesperson for Australia’s Home Affairs Minister indicated the outage seems tied to a complication at Crowdstrike, a prominent cybersecurity firm. Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator characterized it as a “large-scale technical outage” and affirmed there is no evidence suggesting it was an attack. American Airlines, the world’s largest by passenger volume, informed the BBC that the IT complications stemmed from a “technical issue with Crowdstrike that is impacting multiple carriers.” United Airlines echoed this sentiment, noting that a “third-party software outage” is affecting global computer systems, including their own.
Reports have emerged alleging that Crowdstrike, renowned for its antivirus software, may have released an update that caused Windows devices to crash. This speculation has had immediate financial repercussions, with Crowdstrike’s shares plummeting by as much as 14% in early trading. Microsoft also saw a decline, as did travel and leisure stocks, given the potential threat to the holiday season. The BBC has sought comment from Crowdstrike but has not yet received a response.
What is Crowdstrike?
This incident underscores the intricacy of our modern digital framework, revealing how a relatively obscure entity like Crowdstrike can be pivotal in global disruptions. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Crowdstrike is publicly traded on the US stock exchange, included in both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq indices. Despite its modest age of 13 years, the company has burgeoned, employing nearly 8,500 individuals. Specializing in cybersecurity services, Crowdstrike is often summoned post-attack to mitigate damage. It has been instrumental in investigating several high-profile cyber-attacks, such as the 2014 Sony Pictures breach. However, this time, due to a reportedly flawed software update, a company typically seen as a problem solver may have inadvertently contributed to the issue.
Who has been impacted?
The problem emerged incrementally, with initial reports surfacing from Australia. Payment systems malfunctioned in Australian retailers, including Woolworths, and financial institutions like the National Australia Bank were also affected. The issues subsequently spread to the United States. Alaska reported that its emergency services were compromised, while several major airlines—United, Delta, and American Airlines—halted flights globally. Australian airlines Virgin Australia and Jetstar similarly faced delays or cancellations, with departure screens at Sydney airport going blank. Airports in Tokyo-Narita and Delhi also reported disruptions.
In Europe, the outage caused delays and long queues at London’s Stansted and Gatwick airports, as well as Amsterdam’s Schiphol. Ryanair reported “potential disruptions across the network,” attributing them to a third-party outage. Media outlets, including Sky News in the UK, experienced interruptions, resulting in Sky News going off the air.
As the scale of the disruption became evident, more organizations began reporting issues. The London Stock Exchange maintained normal operations, though it faced problems with its news service, critical for disseminating market-sensitive information promptly. In Israel, 15 hospitals transitioned to manual processes, though medical treatment remained unaffected. Ambulances were redirected to other hospitals. Poland’s largest container terminal, the Baltic Hub in Gdansk, reported the outage was “hampering terminal operations” and requested companies refrain from sending containers to the port.
In the UK, railway companies experienced delays and reported “widespread IT issues,” while some doctors’ surgeries in England faced challenges booking appointments. The disruptions extended to upscale UK bakery chain Gail’s, which announced it was temporarily unable to process in-store payments.
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