A significant global IT outage caused widespread disruptions across various sectors on Friday. Computers worldwide, predominantly using Windows, encountered a critical error known as the “blue screen of death,” rendering them inoperable.
The repercussions were severe: major companies, including airlines, TV stations, and financial institutions, faced operational halts. Thousands of flights were canceled, and financial markets experienced fluctuations as the outage affected critical systems.
Initial reports suggested the issue stemmed from a defective cybersecurity update pushed by CrowdStrike, a leading cybersecurity firm. However, CrowdStrike’s CEO, George Kurtz, clarified that the problem was unintentional and not a result of a cyberattack. The faulty update exclusively impacted Microsoft devices, not Mac or Linux 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,” wrote Kurtz. “This is not a security incident or cyberattack. The issue has been identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed.
“We refer customers to the support portal for the latest updates and will continue to provide complete and continuous updates on our website,” he added. “We further recommend organizations ensure they’re communicating with CrowdStrike representatives through official channels.”
“Our team is fully mobilized to ensure the security and stability of CrowdStrike customers,” he concluded.
The outage caused disruptions in various essential services: airlines like Delta and RyanAir, financial giants like Visa and Lloyds Bank, and media outlets such as Sky News. Public transport networks, including Govia Thameslink Railway in the UK, also reported widespread IT problems.
While the disruption was significant, experts like Dr. Paul Parry and Professor James Davenport expressed optimism about a swift resolution now that the cause has been pinpointed. CrowdStrike continues to work closely with affected organizations to restore stability and ensure cybersecurity.
The incident coincided with separate issues in Microsoft 365 related to its Azure cloud platform, which Microsoft reported as resolved by Friday afternoon.
