Microsoft Outage Disrupts the IT Services Globally, 1,300 US Flights Cancelled

Banks, airlines, television networks, and health systems worldwide faced significant disruptions early Friday due to widespread outage affecting Microsoft 365 apps.

This unprecedented event led to the cancellation of thousands of flights and train services globally, including over 1,000 in the U.S., and caused disruptions to numerous public and retail services.

What Caused the Global Microsoft Outage?

The outage were traced back to a technical problem identified by global cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike.

The firm provides antivirus software for Microsoft’s Windows devices, and the issue was pinpointed in its Falcon Sensor software.

“The underlying cause has been fixed, however, residual impact is continuing to affect some Microsoft 365 apps and services. We’re conducting additional mitigations to provide relief,” Microsoft stated on social media.

CrowdStrike’s CEO, George Kurtz, emphasized that the issue was not a cyberattack but a defect found in a single content update for Windows hosts.

“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,” Kurtz said. He added that the problem had been isolated and a fix deployed.

What Has Been Affected by the Microsoft Outages?

The outage had far-reaching effects on various sectors.

A memo from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicated that its systems were impacted by the global outage, affecting many businesses worldwide.

Over 1,300 flights were canceled within, into, or out of the U.S. as of Friday morning, with more than 3,600 delays reported.

Globally, over 25,000 flights faced delays early Friday. Airlines such as American, Delta, and United resumed some operations later in the day but anticipated continued disruptions.

In Europe, major airlines like Lufthansa, KLM, and SAS reported disruptions. Zurich Airport in Switzerland halted landings, and Delhi Airport in India switched to manual operations, updating gate information on a whiteboard.

Hospitals in Germany canceled elective surgeries, and U.K. doctors and pharmacists faced issues accessing systems and delivering medicines.

The London Stock Exchange experienced disruptions to its regulatory news service, though trading remained unaffected. The New York Stock Exchange reported normal operations.

Delivery services like FedEx warned of potential delays, citing the IT outage’s impact on their systems.

When Will the Microsoft Outages Be Fixed?

Despite the fix being implemented, recovery is expected to take time. Omer Grossman, Chief Information Officer at CyberArk, explained that the problem involves Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) products on individual client computers.

“It turns out that because the endpoints have crashed — the Blue Screen of Death — they cannot be updated remotely and the problem must be solved manually, endpoint by endpoint. This is expected to be a process that will take days,” Grossman said.

Kurtz mentioned that many systems were beginning to recover and a simple reboot could suffice for some clients.

However, he acknowledged that complete recovery might vary and required individual attention.

Broader Implications and Reactions

CrowdStrike emphasized that the outage was due to a software issue, not a cyberattack.

The company mobilized to ensure the security and stability of its customers and provided continuous updates through its support portal.

In the U.S., the Alaska State Troopers reported 911 outages, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) experienced computer issues.

The Department of Health and Human Services alerted hospitals and law enforcement about the impact on multiple government agencies.

Mass General Brigham in Boston and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Ohio reported cancellations and disruptions.

The D.C. Metro system faced internal system issues, while New York City’s mass transit operations remained unaffected, though some customer information systems were down.

Airline and Government Responses

Airlines slowly resumed operations but anticipated ongoing delays and cancellations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a global ground stop for American, United, and Delta flights, which resumed later in the day.

President Joe Biden was briefed on the outage, with his team providing sector-by-sector updates and standing by to assist as needed.

The White House remained engaged with CrowdStrike and affected organizations.

Market Impact

CrowdStrike’s stock plummeted nearly 15% on Friday morning, marking its lowest level since May amid the global IT outage affecting its clients worldwide.

As organizations and governments work to resolve the issues caused by the Microsoft outages, the global impact highlights the critical reliance on digital infrastructure and the importance of robust cybersecurity measures.

The recovery process will be ongoing, with varying timelines for different sectors and regions.

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