A global tech outage caused by a faulty update from cybersecurity provider CrowdStrike has disrupted critical services such as flights, banks, hospitals, and media outlets worldwide. The outage, which affected Microsoft Windows systems, led to flight cancellations and delays, halted airport operations in Berlin and Zurich, and disrupted operations for Australian banks, airlines, and media companies.
Hospitals, including Mass General Brigham and NHS England, canceled non-urgent care, while the Gdansk port experienced disruptions. The Milan stock exchange had issues compiling its index, and even the Olympic travel plans were affected.
CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz apologized for the incident and assured customers that it was not a security breach. Microsoft confirmed the issue and is working with CrowdStrike to resolve it.
The outage highlighted the importance of cyber-resilience and the need for rigorous testing of software updates. It also raised questions about the concentration of power in the software industry and the vulnerability of companies relying on a single provider.
As the global IT outage continues, businesses and individuals are advised to stay updated on the situation and take necessary precautions.
