Global Tech Outage Caused by Flawed Update from Cyber Security Company CrowdStrike
***Tech Outage Plunges World’s Largest Companies into Crisis***
A major worldwide tech outage, believed to have been caused by a flawed anti-viral update from US cyber security company CrowdStrike, has sent shockwaves through global businesses and prevented Australian newsrooms from publishing breaking news.
The outage has crippled some of the biggest companies around the world, including banks, IT firms, and even airports, resulting in flight delays and cancellations. The chaos also affected major broadcasters in Australia, such as SBS, Network 10, the ABC, and Sky News Australia, disrupting scheduled programming on Friday afternoon.
Sources within the Australian Government have pointed the finger at cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, stating that a flawed update rolled out globally has left companies locked out of their computer systems. The National Cyber Security Coordinator released a statement acknowledging the “large-scale technical outage” affecting various companies and services, emphasizing that it is not a cyber security incident.
Microsoft also found itself entangled in the crisis, with users encountering “blue screen of death” errors, preventing them from accessing Microsoft 365 apps and services. The tech giant acknowledged the issue and assured users that they were actively working on mitigating the problem.
Furthermore, the tech meltdown extended to Australian politicians as well, with staff in NSW parliament facing computer outages due to the technical glitch. In addition, passengers attempting to board Jetstar flights were unable to check in, leading to grounded planes and commuter chaos.
Major banks, including Suncorp, NAB, Bendigo Bank, and Commonwealth Bank, reported issues with customer account access. Additionally, shoppers at supermarkets like Woolworths experienced checkout disruptions, adding to the widespread turmoil caused by the tech outage.
The international ripple effects of the incident were felt as reports surfaced of major American airlines requesting the Federal Aviation Administration to ground flights due to communication issues. This resulted in stranded passengers and lengthy queues at airports, painting a picture of widespread disruptions across industries.
As the situation continues to unfold, users on social media platforms have linked the chaos to CyberStrike’s update known as “falcon agent.” The evolving story promises to reveal more details as authorities and businesses grapple with the repercussions of the tech outage.