Global Computer Failure Causes Widespread Disruptions
A massive computer failure, caused by an update to an antivirus program, has disrupted services across the world, affecting international airlines, railway companies, banks, hospitals, and telecommunications companies.
Paris 2024 Olympic Games Impacted
The failure also impacted the "computer operations" of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, just one week before the opening ceremony on July 26. The event’s organizing committee reported that the issue was caused by a flaw found in a Windows user content update.
Microsoft Identifies Cause and Issues Fix
US company Microsoft, which controls the CrowdStrike Falcon cybersecurity software, identified the problem and issued a fix. The company’s shares fell 20% in premarket trading.
German Government Investigates
The German government, based on information gathered by its cybersecurity officials, initially suspected a "faulty update" by the company responsible for the antivirus program. France’s cybersecurity agency ANSSI found "no evidence" to suggest the breach was due to a cyberattack.
Flights Suspended at Several Airports
The breakdown caused disruptions at several international airports, including Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Germany, where crowds formed with hundreds of passengers waiting for directions. Major US airlines, including Delta, United, and American Airlines, suspended flights early Thursday due to "communications issues."
Other Affected Services
In addition to airlines and airports, the computer failure also affected Dutch hospitals, the London Stock Exchange, Britain’s main rail operator, British broadcaster Sky News, and national broadcaster ABC in Australia. In New Zealand, local media reported problems with banks and parliamentary computer systems.
Experts Warn of Single-Provider Risk
The global nature of the failure has led experts to highlight the fact that much of the world relies on a single provider for such diverse services. "We need to design infrastructures that are resilient to these problems," said software engineering professor John McDermid of Britain’s University of York.
Airlines and Airports Affected
Airlines such as Air France, KLM, Ryanair, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, as well as Turkish Airlines, which cancelled 84 flights, and Singapore International Airport, were among those affected by the computer glitch.
