A significant global technology outage resulted in widespread chaos on Friday as flights were grounded, banks went offline, and media outlets were knocked off the air. The massive disruption was felt by companies and services around the world, shedding light on the reliance on software from a small number of providers.
According to cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, the outage was not due to a security incident or cyberattack, but rather a technical issue affecting Microsoft 365 apps and services. Despite the technology company’s assurance of resolving the problem gradually, disruptions continued to escalate hours after the announcement.
Notable outages were recorded at Visa, ADT security, and Amazon, as well as major airlines such as American Airlines and Delta. In Australia, reports emerged of disruptions at airlines, telecommunications providers, and banks, with media broadcasters also being affected due to the loss of access to computer systems.
The New Zealand government acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the technology outage, with Acting Prime Minister David Seymour stating that they were swiftly assessing the potential impacts. There was no evidence suggesting that the issues were related to malicious cyber security activity.
Israel’s Cyber Directorate confirmed that the country was among those affected by the global outages, attributing the problem to Crowdstrike. This led to disruptions at post offices and hospitals, according to the ministries of communication and health.
Amid the chaos, major disruptions were reported by airlines and airports worldwide. In the United States, the FAA disclosed that major airlines such as United, American, Delta, and Allegiant had all been grounded, leading to significant traveler inconvenience.
Similar disruptions were experienced in the United Kingdom, where airlines, railways, and television stations encountered computer issues. Passengers were advised to arrive at airports three hours before their scheduled departure time due to the global third-party IT outage, according to Ryanair.
The impact was also felt in airports across Australia, where lines grew longer, and some passengers were left stranded as online check-in services and self-service booths were disabled. India also reported operational disruptions, subsequently inconveniencing thousands of passengers.
The outage also affected airlines at Hong Kong’s Airport Authority and Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, leading to a major impact on flights, including those to and from the busy European hub. Similar problems were reported in Germany and Switzerland.
Notably, hospitals in Britain and Germany experienced problems, with several practices within the National Health Service in England reporting that the outage had affected their clinical computer system containing medical records.
Moreover, news outlets in Australia, such as the ABC and Sky News, were unable to broadcast on their TV and radio channels due to sudden shutdowns of Windows-based computers. In South Africa, at least one major bank reported “nationwide service disruptions,” preventing customers from making payments using bank cards.
These global outages highlight the interconnectedness of the technology ecosystem, emphasizing the significance of maintaining stable and secure systems to mitigate widespread disruptions across vital services.