A widespread IT outage has caused significant disruptions across various sectors, including broadcasting, air travel, and healthcare.
The sudden outage has taken Sky News off the air and affected several airports, trains, and GP services. Although the root cause of the issue remains unclear, Microsoft announced it was taking ‘mitigation actions.’ The interruption was first noticed around 11 pm last night, impacting multiple cloud services and essential apps.
Microsoft stated, ‘We are investigating an issue impacting users’ ability to access various Microsoft 365 apps and services.’ Additional information was posted on their admin centre and social media channels.
CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity firm, also experienced a major outage linked to its latest update. While it is unconfirmed if this is related to the Microsoft issue, CrowdStrike is rolling back the problematic update globally. The Falcon Sensor software, which CrowdStrike uses to block potential threats, has been identified as the source of their crash reports.
At Edinburgh Airport, departure screens froze and displayed outdated information, causing passengers to miss flights. Manchester Airport was not directly impacted but faced delays because of issues with Swissport, a ground handling company. Major US airlines also issued a ‘global ground stop,’ halting all flights temporarily.
In addition to airports, train services in London and those operated by TransPennine Express faced significant disruptions. The broadcasting sector was hit hard, with Sky News Channel and CBBC unable to air for much of the morning. Moreover, some businesses, including Manchester United, were unable to process payments due to the outage. A social media post from Manchester United confirmed the postponement of ticket releases due to the server issues.
GP services experienced severe disruptions as well. Practices using the NHS-commissioned EMIS system were left without access to IT systems. Wilmslow Health Centre, among others, informed patients of the issue via social media, urging patience until the systems are restored.
The London Stock Exchange reported operational normalcy but faced difficulties with its Regulatory News Service (RNS), which was unable to publish updates due to the global technical issues. This outage highlights the interconnected nature of modern IT systems and the widespread impact when one component fails.
The global IT outage underscores the vulnerability of interconnected digital services. As investigations continue, multiple sectors are striving to resume normal operations. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust IT infrastructure and contingency planning.