A global disruption of Microsoft systems has caused chaos in airports, businesses, and services around the world. Since early morning hours, problems have been reported on multiple continents, severely affecting flight operations and service provision in various sectors.
Impact on International Airports
In the United Kingdom, airports like Heathrow and Gatwick have experienced significant delays due to issues with check-in and security systems. Heathrow confirmed that, while flights are operational, passengers should expect delays and should check with their airlines for the most up-to-date information. Gatwick has also warned passengers about possible delays and recommended arriving early for the usual check-in process.
In Europe, the Schipol airport in Amsterdam and several airports in Spain, managed by AENA, are also facing similar issues, resorting to manual systems to continue operations. Berlin has reported delays in check-in due to a “technical glitch.”
Repercussions on Businesses and Services
Not only airports have been affected. The London Stock Exchange has reported issues with its RNS news service, preventing the publication of regulatory news. Additionally, the telecommunications giant Telstra in Australia and media companies like Sky News and BBC have reported interruptions in their services. In Asia, the Hong Kong airport and railway operators in Malaysia have experienced severe difficulties, with flights and ticket services affected.
Response and Mitigation
Microsoft has acknowledged the disruption and is taking “mitigation actions” to resolve the issues. According to the company, the disruption began around 6 pm Eastern Time in the United States. The IT security firm Crowdstrike is also investigating, especially due to reports of failures in Windows operating systems related to their Falcon sensor.
The situation has highlighted the global dependence on technological infrastructures and vulnerability to failures in centralized systems. As investigations continue, it is clear that quick response capability and implementation of contingency plans are crucial to minimizing the impact of such disruptions.
In summary
The global disruption of Microsoft has triggered a domino effect that has affected airports, businesses, and services worldwide, underscoring the importance of resilience and technological readiness. Companies and services are working diligently to restore normalcy and minimize inconvenience to affected users and customers.
Source: News sky