Global IT Shutdown: The Largest Microsoft Outage in History Unfolds

This Is Set to Be the Biggest IT Outage in History

A significant Microsoft outage is causing major issues worldwide, impacting various services and affecting thousands to millions of users. The Crowdstrike CEO has stated that the outage was not caused by a cyberattack and that 'the issue has been identified, isolated, and a fix has been deployed.'

Key Impacts:

• Outages: Biggest IT outage ever according to experts, affecting major banks, media, airports, and airlines.

• Airlines: KLM, AirAsia, Cebu Pacific Air, and Singapore Airlines are experiencing disruptions. American Airlines, United, and Delta have requested a global ground stop due to communication issues, confirmed by the FAA.

• Media: The Associated Press reports service disruptions. Sky News went off air, and other media outlets are facing disruptions.

• Stock Markets: Euronext says some Northern American markets' stocks-based indices are currently being incorrectly broadcast. Services at the London Stock Exchange are disrupted.

• Airports: Berlin Airport faces major disruptions.

• Tourism: Hong Kong Disneyland's online ticketing system is down due to an “unexpected computer system outage,” with visitors asked to purchase on-day tickets at the park entrance.

• Transportation: Washington DC has suspended all train services due to the IT outage. Rail services are also disrupted in parts of the US and the UK.

• Payment Systems: Impacted in different parts of the world, including Australia and the UK.

• Government Response: Australia's government has called for an emergency meeting.

• 911 Services: Disrupted in several US states, including Alaska, Arizona, Indiana, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Ohio.

• Global Impact: The outage affects numerous sectors globally, causing widespread operational challenges.

Crowdstrike CEO Statement:

• George Kurtz, President & CEO, CrowdStrike: "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. 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. 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.”

Microsoft Statement:

• A Microsoft spokesperson says a resolution to the tech outage is "forthcoming."

The global outage stems from a network configuration change affecting multiple Microsoft 365 services like Teams, Outlook, and Azure, significantly disrupting connectivity across various regions. Microsoft has identified the problem as a recent Wide Area Network (WAN) update and has since rolled back this update, with recovery signs across multiple regions​ (Petri)​.

CIS Security’s Role in Enhancing Cyber Resilience During Major IT Outages:

CIS Security, with decades of expertise in comprehensive cybersecurity solutions, highlights the necessity of robust security measures in the wake of the largest Microsoft outage. As businesses and organizations grapple with unexpected disruptions, the role of seasoned security experts like those at CIS becomes crucial in assessing vulnerabilities, implementing proactive defenses, and ensuring continuity in crisis situations. Discover how CIS Security can safeguard your digital and physical assets during widespread IT challenges by visiting our advanced solutions at www.cissecurity.net.

Stay informed on global events and security insights by exploring our extensive resources at www.ragex.co.

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