A significant global IT outage has wreaked havoc across multiple sectors, grounding flights, disrupting banking operations, and affecting retailers and broadcasters worldwide. The root cause of this extensive disruption has been identified as a “defect found in a single content update for Windows,” reported by the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, a member of the House subcommittee on cybersecurity, confirmed that major U.S. airlines, including United, American, and Delta, have issued a “global ground stop,” resulting in widespread flight delays. Despite Microsoft’s efforts to fix the issue, problems persist, with the notorious “Blue Screen of Death” appearing on numerous public screens in the U.S. and beyond.
The outage’s impact has been profound, causing 911 services to go down across Alaska, according to the state’s troopers. The Blue Screen of Death, a well-known Microsoft Windows error screen indicating a system crash, has been seen from Macy’s in New York to airports in India, creating panic and disruption.
CrowdStrike clarified that the problem originated from a defective Windows content update and not a cyberattack. The company assured that they are actively working to resolve the issue. George Kurtz, CEO of CrowdStrike, stated, “This was not a security or cyber incident. We are working with all impacted customers to ensure that systems are back up and they can deliver the services their customers are counting on.” Kurtz promised to provide further updates via his X account, LinkedIn, and the CrowdStrike website.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is aware of the outage and its impact on services, including emergency lines. “We’re working closely with other federal agencies to provide assistance and determine the extent of these service disruptions,” the FAA said.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg addressed the issue on CNBC, stressing the Department of Transportation’s efforts to monitor the situation. He reminded airlines of their duty to care for passengers experiencing delays and confirmed that public transit systems are functioning normally, though some websites and ticketing systems might encounter minor issues. “This wasn’t a cyberattack,” Buttigieg reiterated, emphasizing ongoing collaboration with infrastructure and transportation providers to maintain robust cyber defenses.
The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is also monitoring the outage’s impact on air travel. The CDA is working with federal and airline partners at O’Hare and Midway International Airports to restore operations swiftly and urged travelers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
