The Times Australia
The Times World News

.

One small update brought down millions of IT systems around the world. It’s a timely warning

  • Written by David Tuffley, Senior Lecturer in Applied Ethics & CyberSecurity, Griffith University
One small update brought down millions of IT systems around the world. It’s a timely warning

This weekend’s global IT outage caused by a software update gone wrong highlights the interconnected and often fragile nature of modern IT infrastructure. It demonstrates how a single point of failure can have far-reaching consequences.

The outage[1] was linked to a single update automatically rolled out to Crowdstrike Falcon[2], a ubiquitous cyber security tool used primarily by large organisations[3]. This caused Microsoft Windows computers around the world to crash.

CrowdStrike has since fixed the problem on their end. While many organisations have been able to resume work now, it will take some time for IT teams to fully repair all the affected systems – some of that work has to be done manually.

How could this happen?

Many organisations rely on the same cloud providers and cyber security solutions. The result is a form of digital monoculture.

While this standardisation means computer systems can run efficiently and are widely compatible, it also means a problem can cascade[4] across many industries and geographies. As we’ve now seen in the case of CrowdStrike, it can even cascade around the entire globe.

Modern IT infrastructure is highly interconnected and interdependent. If one component fails, it can lead to a situation where the failed component triggers a chain reaction[5] that impacts other parts of the system.

As software and the networks they operate in becomes more complex, the potential for unforeseen interactions and bugs increases. A minor update can have unintended consequences and spread rapidly throughout the network.

As we have now seen, entire systems can be brought to a grinding halt before the overseers can react to prevent it.

How was Microsoft involved?

When Windows computers everywhere started to crash with a “blue screen of death” message, early reports stated the IT outage was caused by Microsoft.

In fact, Microsoft confirmed[6] it experienced a cloud services outage in the Central United States region, which began around 6pm Eastern Time on Thursday, July 18 2024.

This outage affected a subset of customers using various Azure services. Azure[7] is Microsoft’s proprietary cloud services platform.

The Azure outage had far-reaching consequences, disrupting services across multiple sectors, including airlines[8], retail[9], banking and media. Not only in the United States but also internationally in countries like Australia and New Zealand. It also impacted various Microsoft 365 services, including PowerBI, Microsoft Fabric and Teams.

As it has now turned out, the entire Azure outage could also be traced back to the CrowdStrike update[10]. In this case it was affecting Microsoft’s virtual machines running Windows with Falcon installed.

A passenger tries to exchange currency as a Windows malfunction is displayed on a screen at Istanbul Airport in Turkey, July 19 2024. EPA/Tolga Bozoglu

What can we learn from this episode?

Don’t put all your IT eggs in one basket.

Companies should use a multi-cloud strategy: distributing their IT infrastructure across multiple cloud service providers. This way, if one provider goes down, the others can continue[11] to support critical operations.

Companies can also ensure their business continues to operate[12] by building in redundancies into IT systems. If one component goes down, others can step up. This includes having backup servers, alternative data centres, and “failover[13]” mechanisms that can quickly switch to backup systems in the event of an outage.

Automating routine IT processes can reduce the risk of human error, which is a common cause of outages. Automated systems can also monitor for potential issues and address them before they lead to significant problems.

Training staff on how to respond when outages occur[14] can manage a difficult situation back to normal. This includes knowing who to contact, what steps to take, and how to use alternative workflows.

How bad could an IT outage get?

It’s highly unlikely the world’s entire internet could ever go down due to the distributed and decentralised nature of the internet’s infrastructure. It has multiple redundant paths and systems. If one part fails, traffic can be rerouted through other networks.

However, the potential for even larger and more widespread disruptions than the CrowdStrike outage does exist.

The catalogue of possible causes reads like the script of a disaster movie. Intense solar flares, similar to the Carrington Event[15] of 1859 could cause widespread damage to satellites, power grids, and undersea cables that are the backbone of the internet. Such an event could lead to internet outages spanning continents and lasting for months.

Read more: Solar storms that caused pretty auroras can create havoc with technology — here’s how[16]

The global internet relies heavily on a network of undersea fibre optic cables[17]. Simultaneous damage to multiple key cables – whether through natural disasters, seismic events, accidents, or deliberate sabotage – could cause major disruptions to international internet traffic.

Sophisticated, coordinated cyber attacks targeting critical internet infrastructure, such as root DNS servers or major internet exchange points, could also cause large-scale outages.

While a complete internet apocalypse is highly unlikely, the interconnected nature of our digital world means any large outage will have far-reaching impacts, because it disrupts the online services we’ve grown to depend upon.

Continual adaptation and preparedness are vitally important to ensure the resilience of our global communications infrastructure.

References

  1. ^ outage (www.abc.net.au)
  2. ^ Crowdstrike Falcon (www.crowdstrike.com)
  3. ^ used primarily by large organisations (theconversation.com)
  4. ^ a problem can cascade (en.wikipedia.org)
  5. ^ chain reaction (www.sciencedirect.com)
  6. ^ Microsoft confirmed (gulfbusiness.com)
  7. ^ Azure (azure.microsoft.com)
  8. ^ airlines (www.reuters.com)
  9. ^ retail (nypost.com)
  10. ^ traced back to the CrowdStrike update (gulfbusiness.com)
  11. ^ the others can continue (devops.com)
  12. ^ their business continues to operate (pretius.com)
  13. ^ failover (www.techtarget.com)
  14. ^ how to respond when outages occur (employsure.com.au)
  15. ^ Carrington Event (en.wikipedia.org)
  16. ^ Solar storms that caused pretty auroras can create havoc with technology — here’s how (theconversation.com)
  17. ^ undersea fibre optic cables (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/one-small-update-brought-down-millions-of-it-systems-around-the-world-its-a-timely-warning-235122

Times Magazine

Headless CMS in Digital Twins and 3D Product Experiences

Image by freepik As the metaverse becomes more advanced and accessible, it's clear that multiple sectors will use digital twins and 3D product experiences to visualize, connect, and streamline efforts better. A digital twin is a virtual replica of ...

The Decline of Hyper-Casual: How Mid-Core Mobile Games Took Over in 2025

In recent years, the mobile gaming landscape has undergone a significant transformation, with mid-core mobile games emerging as the dominant force in app stores by 2025. This shift is underpinned by changing user habits and evolving monetization tr...

Understanding ITIL 4 and PRINCE2 Project Management Synergy

Key Highlights ITIL 4 focuses on IT service management, emphasising continual improvement and value creation through modern digital transformation approaches. PRINCE2 project management supports systematic planning and execution of projects wit...

What AI Adoption Means for the Future of Workplace Risk Management

Image by freepik As industrial operations become more complex and fast-paced, the risks faced by workers and employers alike continue to grow. Traditional safety models—reliant on manual oversight, reactive investigations, and standardised checklist...

From Beach Bops to Alpine Anthems: Your Sonos Survival Guide for a Long Weekend Escape

Alright, fellow adventurers and relaxation enthusiasts! So, you've packed your bags, charged your devices, and mentally prepared for that glorious King's Birthday long weekend. But hold on, are you really ready? Because a true long weekend warrior kn...

Effective Commercial Pest Control Solutions for a Safer Workplace

Keeping a workplace clean, safe, and free from pests is essential for maintaining productivity, protecting employee health, and upholding a company's reputation. Pests pose health risks, can cause structural damage, and can lead to serious legal an...

The Times Features

Duke of Dural to Get Rooftop Bar as New Owners Invest in Venue Upgrade

The Duke of Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, is set for a major uplift under new ownership, following its acquisition by hospitality group Good Beer Company this week. Led by resp...

Prefab’s Second Life: Why Australia’s Backyard Boom Needs a Circular Makeover

The humble granny flat is being reimagined not just as a fix for housing shortages, but as a cornerstone of circular, factory-built architecture. But are our systems ready to s...

Melbourne’s Burglary Boom: Break-Ins Surge Nearly 25%

Victorian homeowners are being warned to act now, as rising break-ins and falling arrest rates paint a worrying picture for suburban safety. Melbourne residents are facing an ...

Exploring the Curriculum at a Modern Junior School in Melbourne

Key Highlights The curriculum at junior schools emphasises whole-person development, catering to children’s physical, emotional, and intellectual needs. It ensures early year...

Distressed by all the bad news? Here’s how to stay informed but still look after yourself

If you’re feeling like the news is particularly bad at the moment, you’re not alone. But many of us can’t look away – and don’t want to. Engaging with news can help us make ...

The Role of Your GP in Creating a Chronic Disease Management Plan That Works

Living with a long-term condition, whether that is diabetes, asthma, arthritis or heart disease, means making hundreds of small decisions every day. You plan your diet against m...