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CrowdStrike's Faulty Sensor Configuration Update Causes Global IT Outage, Blue Screen of Death on 8.5M Devices

Jul 20, 2024, 06:34 PM

A faulty sensor configuration update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike caused a global IT outage on July 19, 2024, affecting approximately 8.5 million Microsoft Windows devices. The update, which triggered a logic error and resulted in the 'blue screen of death' on impacted systems, led to widespread disruptions across various industries, including airlines, banks, hospitals, and media outlets. The outage resulted in grounded flights, stalled banking operations, and disrupted healthcare services. Security experts have criticized the update for not undergoing adequate quality checks before deployment. CrowdStrike's CEO has apologized for the incident and detailed efforts to fix the issue. Microsoft has deployed hundreds of engineers to assist affected customers. The event has highlighted the fragility of interconnected global IT systems and raised questions about the vulnerabilities of relying on centralized technology solutions.