# Global IT Outage Disrupts Businesses and Airports After Software Update Glitch
by Ashis Sinha
A significant global IT outage has disrupted computer systems worldwide, affecting numerous industries and causing major operational issues. The outage follows a problematic update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike and reported issues with Microsoft’s Azure cloud service.
CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz addressed the situation on X, stating, “CrowdStrike is actively working with customers impacted by a defect found in a single content update for Windows hosts. This is not a security incident or cyberattack.” He confirmed that a fix has been deployed and advised customers to check an online support portal for updates.
Despite the resolution of the immediate issue, many users have been grappling with the “Blue Screen of Death,” which has rendered corporate laptops and computers unusable. Microsoft confirmed that the problem was triggered by an update to CrowdStrike’s Falcon Sensor software, designed to protect against malware.
The company has since addressed the underlying cause and restored several Microsoft 365 applications, including OneDrive for Business and Microsoft Defender for Endpoint. However, some services are still experiencing residual effects.
Security consultant Troy Hunt predicted that this outage might become “the largest IT outage in history.” The disruption has led to grounding of flights worldwide. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration reported that several airlines requested assistance with ground stops, though Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines have partially resumed operations.
The IT issues have affected various sectors globally, including airlines, banks, telecommunications, and media. Reports of the Blue Screen of Death were noted across multiple countries, including India, the United States, and New Zealand.
In response to the outage, major airports and airlines have been forced to implement manual procedures.
For example:
Berlin Airport: Announced delays in check-in due to technical problems.
Spanish Airports: Operations are ongoing with manual systems as the issue is being resolved.
UK: Major train operators are experiencing disruptions, and the London Stock Exchange is facing issues with its regulatory news service.
Australia: Melbourne Airport is dealing with check-in delays due to a global technology issue.
New Zealand: Christchurch International Airport reported IT issues affecting flight information.
In India, major airlines like Vistara, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air are dealing with technical challenges that impact booking and check-in services. SpiceJet and Akasa Air have activated manual processes at airports, advising passengers to arrive earlier for check-in. IndiGo has also been affected by the Microsoft outage, impacting various flight-related services.
Understanding Blue Screen Errors:
Blue Screen errors, also known as STOP code errors, occur when Windows encounters a serious problem that causes it to shut down or restart unexpectedly. These errors can be caused by hardware or software issues.
How to Resolve Blue Screen Errors:
Open the “Get Help” app in Windows.
Type “Troubleshoot BSOD error.”
Follow the guided walkthrough provided in the app.
The global IT community continues to address and resolve these issues as quickly as possible.
