Massive global IT outage hits banks, airports, supermarkets – and a single software update is likely to blame

Massive global IT outage hits banks, airports, supermarkets – and a single software update is likely to blame

Computer systems across Australia and overseas have failed this afternoon after an update was pushed out by global security software provider CrowdStrike.

Associate Professor Mark Gregory is available for media interviews following his article, Massive global IT outage hits banks, airports, supermarkets – and a single software update is likely to blame, in The Conversation.

“Computer systems across Australia and overseas have failed this afternoon after an update was pushed out by global security software provider CrowdStrike.

“Major airlines, banks, shops, and many other businesses have been forced to suspend trading or providing services. Thousands of people will now be stranded at airports around the nation on a Friday evening, and bus and train services will potentially be affected.

“The software affected by the update appears to be the CrowdStrike Falcon platform, which is installed by businesses or other organisations on desktop computers and notebooks to provide security monitoring.

"Notifications from CrowdStrike are being sent out to customers or posted to support pages that can only be accessed with a login. CrowdStrike advised customers that an affected machine needs to be booted into “safe mode”, and then a specific file will need to be deleted. This process is likely to need to be done manually, so there is no easy fix that can be applied to many machines at once.

“Home computers should not be affected by what’s happening. CrowdStrike typically provides its Falcon security platform to large businesses and enterprise customers."

Associate Professor Mark Gregory is a senior telecommunications and network engineering academic in RMIT’s School of Engineering. He actively participates in public debate covering telecommunications, digital security and the Internet.

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General media enquiries: RMIT External Affairs and Media, 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au

19 July 2024

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19 July 2024

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