A major global IT outage occurred today (July 19, 2024) due to a combination of issues involving Microsoft and CrowdStrike, causing widespread disruptions across various industries.
The incident was characterized by two primary problems. First, Microsoft’s Azure Cloud Platform experienced an outage beginning last night, affecting its 365 apps and services. Second, a faulty software update pushed by cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike to its Falcon threat detection platform caused crashes on Windows computers and servers.
The convergence of these two issues created a “perfect storm” leading to significant global chaos and disruption. The impact was severe and far-reaching.
What steps are Microsoft and CrowdStrike taking to prevent future outages?
While steps are being taken, it’s important to note that the resolution process is expected to be labour-intensive, requiring hands-on intervention with affected devices in many cases. This incident may also lead to broader industry discussions about improving the resilience of critical IT infrastructure and the need for more robust failsafe mechanisms in security software deployments.
What can I do if I am affected?
If you’re affected by the CrowdStrike outage, here are some steps you can take:
- Follow official guidance: CrowdStrike has provided specific instructions for affected users. Follow these steps carefully to manually fix affected systems.
- Safe Mode access: If your Windows system is experiencing the “Blue Screen of Death” (BSOD), try booting into Safe Mode to access your computer.
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