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Crowdstrike software outage disrupts global systems

Crowdstrike software outage disrupts global systems

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A major global technology outage disrupted flights, small businesses, and government offices worldwide on Friday.

The disruption, caused by a faulty software update affecting Microsoft systems, highlighted the vulnerabilities of our increasingly digitized world dependent on a few key technology providers. Air travelers were significantly impacted as airlines in the U.S. and Europe experienced widespread disruptions.

American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Spirit Airlines, and Allegiant Air all had flights grounded for varying durations. The outage affected essential systems used for checking in passengers and calculating aircraft weight, vital for takeoff processes. Some airlines issued waivers to allow customers to change their travel plans.

At the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, passengers like Sarah Schafer, who was heading to Florida for a family event, found themselves facing long wait times with no clear information on rescheduling. Similar scenes played out at Los Angeles International Airport, where more than 70 flights were canceled by early morning, and at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport, where information screens displayed error messages throughout the day. Healthcare providers across the U.S., Canada, and England also faced disruptions.

Harris Health System in Houston suspended hospital visits, while elective procedures at various hospitals were canceled or rescheduled. Providence, which operates hospitals in multiple states, reported issues with its records systems.

Software outage disrupts global systems

The New York-based Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center paused procedures requiring anesthesia. In Canada, the University Health Network continued clinical activity but warned of possible delays. Britain’s National Health Service reported widespread problems at doctors’ offices, though emergency services remained operational.

The outage also caused delays at border crossings in North America. The San Ysidro Port of Entry experienced gridlock, with pedestrians waiting up to three hours to cross from Mexico to the U.S. Even those in the “Trusted Traveler” program faced significant delays. Similarly, long waits were reported at the U.S.-Canada border, affecting both the Ambassador Bridge and the Detroit-Windsor tunnel.

Even small businesses felt the pinch. Starbucks customers found themselves unable to order ahead online or via mobile apps. The coffee chain apologized and assured customers that most stores and drive-thrus were still serving.

The root cause of the outage was a software update dispatched to Microsoft’s systems used by corporate clients, including many affected airlines. A fix was underway, but the disruptions spanned various sectors and highlighted the critical nature of cybersecurity and system reliability in today’s interconnected world.

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Johannah Lopez

Johannah Lopez is a versatile professional who seamlessly navigates two worlds. By day, she excels as a SaaS freelance writer, crafting informative and persuasive content for tech companies. By night, she showcases her vibrant personality and customer service skills as a part-time bartender. Johannah's ability to blend her writing expertise with her social finesse makes her a well-rounded and engaging storyteller in any setting.
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