A recent Microsoft software update caused a global outage that has affected millions of individuals and businesses, impacting flight schedules, hospitals, banks, and supermarkets. IT experts warn that it could take weeks for systems to be fully restored. CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity company, admitted that a flawed update caused the disruption, resulting in flight cancellations and other issues. Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that thousands of flights were cancelled globally due to the outage, with effects expected to last into the weekend.
The Australian Signals Directorate has warned about the potential for cybercriminals to exploit the situation, advising individuals to only seek technical information from official sources. President Joe Biden is monitoring the situation and offering government support, with the White House confirming that this was not a cyber attack but a technical issue. CrowdStrike, a company valued at $80 billion, has previously been known for investigating hacks but has found itself at the center of this unprecedented outage.
Passengers at Gatwick Airport have been experiencing long check-in queues as airlines work to overcome the fallout from the IT outage. Despite the challenges, individuals like 18-year-old Renato Martinez remain optimistic, attributing his early arrival for his flight to his mother’s insistence on being prepared. As the situation continues to unfold, many are hopeful for a speedy resolution to the widespread disruptions caused by the Microsoft outage.
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