On July 19th, a significant global IT outage began impacting Microsoft Windows systems worldwide. The disruption, linked to a problematic software update from the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, has caused widespread interruptions across multiple sectors, including banking, travel, healthcare, and media.
Yesterday, CrowdStrike released an update that began impacting IT systems globally. We are aware of this issue and are working closely with CrowdStrike and across the industry to provide customers technical guidance and support to safely bring their systems back online.
The financial industry has experienced some of the most severe effects of the outage. Many banks around the globe have faced significant challenges, with online banking services disrupted and customers unable to access their accounts or conduct transactions. Downdetector has reported a substantial increase in banking outage reports, with major banks in the UK, US, Australia, and India all experiencing issues. This has led to considerable customer frustration and anxiety as people struggle with inaccessible financial services.
Things we learned today: a single Windows host software update gone wrong can shut down much of the worlds banking and commerce.
The travel industry has not been spared from the fallout of this IT disruption. Airports worldwide have reported significant delays and cancellations, with flights grounded across numerous locations. For example, in Berlin, air traffic at the city’s BER airport was halted, while United Airlines in the US had to cancel numerous flights. Although some flights have resumed, ongoing disruptions are expected, and United Airlines has issued a travel waiver to accommodate affected passengers. This situation has led to widespread travel chaos, affecting countless individuals and their travel plans.
Early this morning, a third-party software outage impacted computer systems worldwide, including at United. We have resumed some flights but expect schedule disruptions to continue throughout Friday as we continue to troubleshoot many systems and programs.
The healthcare sector has also been adversely affected by the outage. In the UK, GP surgeries have struggled to access patient records and schedule appointments due to the failure of the EMIS Web system. While NHS hospitals appear to have mainly remained operational, the broader healthcare system has faced significant challenges, impacting patient care and operational efficiency. Similar disruptions have been reported in hospitals across the globe, further illustrating the widespread nature of the outage.
The NHS is aware of a global IT outage and an issue with a GP appointment and patient record system.
If you have an appointment please do attend unless you are told otherwise. If you need help use 111 online or by phone and in an emergency call 999.
The media sector has encountered its own set of challenges as a result of IT failure. Numerous television channels have been knocked offline, with prominent media outlets affected. In New York, the iconic Times Square screens went dark, symbolising the broader impact of the outage on media operations. These interruptions have hindered news coverage and media broadcasts, adding to the overall sense of worldwide disruption.
CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity firm responsible for the problematic update, has issued a public apology for the incident. CEO George Kurtz stated, “The issue has been identified, isolated, and a fix has been deployed.” Despite these assurances, restoring normalcy has been complex and time-consuming. CrowdStrike is working with affected customers to address the issues and backup systems.
CrowdStrike is actively working with customers impacted by a defect found in a single content update for Windows hosts. Mac and Linux hosts are not impacted. This is not a security incident or cyberattack. The issue has been identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed. We…
The IT outage has also had notable repercussions for global financial markets. Investor sentiment has been shaken, leading to a rise in the dollar and a decline in stock markets. CrowdStrike’s share value dropped significantly by 12% following the revelation that its software update caused the disruption. This market reaction underscores the broader economic impact of the IT failure.
I dumped some money into Crowdstrike stock today. I’m not saying this to be funny. I’m saying this because they are 12% down but I expect they will recover from this.
Interestingly, the cryptocurrency market has reacted quickly to the situation. Memecoins related to CrowdStrike and the Microsoft Windows Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) have emerged, with tokens like the BSOD and STRIKE tokens gaining notable market caps on Ethereum and Solana networks. This response highlights the dynamic nature of the cryptocurrency market and its ability to capitalise on worldwide events.
— bluescreenofdeath | $BSOD CTO (@bsodonsol) July 19, 2024
Ongoing Challenges and Future Outlook
As efforts to resolve the IT issues continue, the situation’s complexity is becoming increasingly apparent. Manually rebooting affected systems presents a significant challenge, and full recovery may take time. While some services are gradually being restored, experts warn that additional disruptions could arise as systems are returned online. This incident is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities inherent in global IT infrastructures and the critical need for robust contingency planning.
How the actual fuck does a third party provider’s faulty software update paralyze air transport worldwide?
In summary, today’s global IT outage, linked to a CrowdStrike update, has caused extensive disruptions across various sectors. The ongoing efforts to restore affected services and the broader implications for global IT infrastructure highlight the critical importance of effective crisis management and preparedness.
