Cyber Outage Due to Update Affects Key Sectors Worldwide

An update to an antivirus from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike has caused IT problems and failures at Microsoft, leading to 911 outages in US states and impacts on Spanish airlines, banks, large companies and public administrations.

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What is CrowdStrike and what is happening?

In an unexpected blow to global digital infrastructure, cybersecurity platform CrowdStrike has experienced a worldwide outage , triggering a domino effect affecting a wide range of critical services. From Microsoft system failures to 911 service disruptions in several US states, the outage has exposed the vulnerability of our interconnected networks .

International airlines, banks, media outlets and even the Spanish public administration itself are also suffering the consequences, underlining the massive reliance on this technology for protection and daily operations. But what exactly is CrowdStrike and why is its inactivity having such a profound impact?

CrowdStrike is a leading cybersecurity platform that has become a cornerstone for many organizations around the world since its founding in 2011. The company uses an advanced combination of artificial intelligence and machine learning to detect, prevent, and respond to cyber threats in real time. This proactive approach enables organizations to protect their critical data and prevent attacks before they occur—something that is essential in today’s highly interconnected digital environment.

CrowdStrike’s cloud -based technology, known as Falcon, is designed to provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of threats, from malware and ransomware to zero-day attacks and advanced persistent threats (APTs).

The platform is capable of analyzing large volumes of data in real-time , allowing it to identify anomalous patterns and behaviors that could indicate an imminent threat. This makes it an invaluable tool for businesses of all sizes, from small businesses to large corporations and government entities.

The impact of the fall of CrowdStrike

Today, CrowdStrike has suffered a worldwide outage, causing a global cyber blackout that is affecting multiple critical sectors and services . According to initial reports, the incident is believed to be due to a system update (specifically an antivirus) that has caused a massive failure by causing problems with Microsoft services.

These types of incidents are particularly serious due to the dependence that many companies and organizations have on CrowdStrike’s services to maintain the security of their systems and data.

One of the hardest hit areas has been IT services, with many companies reporting issues across the globe.

In Spain, for example, some airlines are having to carry out all operations manually because the information does not appear on the screens. This type of disruption can cause significant delays and operational problems that affect both employees and passengers.

Problems in Microsoft and other critical services

Microsoft, one of the world’s largest software companies, is also experiencing problems due to the CrowdStrike outage. Microsoft services are critical to many business and government operations, and any disruption to their operation can have a ripple effect affecting numerous organizations.

In fact, we know that Microsoft Azure, the cloud computing platform for managing services and applications, is also having problems.

In the United States, several states have reported 911 service disruptions , posing a significant risk to public safety. Emergency systems rely on a secure and stable IT infrastructure, and any failure of this infrastructure can have serious consequences. 911 service disruptions can prevent people from receiving help in emergency situations, underscoring the importance of robust cybersecurity.

Impact on airlines, banks and media

International airlines are also being affected by the CrowdStrike outage, causing flight delays and cancellations . Logistics and global coordination are severely affected when cybersecurity fails, and airlines rely on highly integrated systems to manage everything from flight bookings to air traffic control.

Banks are also experiencing disruptions . In fact, some global payment networks, such as VISA or Bizum, have also reported problems, which could affect consumers and businesses that rely on these networks to process payments.

This incident highlights the importance of cybersecurity in our daily lives and the interconnectedness of our digital systems. It is a reminder that IT infrastructure needs to be robust and resilient to protect us from future threats.

The fall of CrowdStrike has had an immediate and significant impact across multiple sectors , underscoring the critical reliance of organizations on advanced cybersecurity platforms.