On July 19, 2024, a significant technology outage disrupted operations across various sectors worldwide, primarily affecting Microsoft’s cloud services.
The incident disrupted airlines, banks, media organizations, and telecommunications.
Overview of the Outage
The outage began around 6 PM Eastern Time on July 18, 2024, due to issues with Microsoft’s Azure cloud computing platform and Microsoft 365 applications. The problems were linked to a technical failure involving a third-party software system, although there was no evidence of a cybersecurity breach.
Impact on Various Sectors
- Airlines: Major U.S. carriers, including American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines, issued ground stops due to communication issues shortly after Microsoft announced it had resolved the outage. This led to numerous flight cancellations and delays, with Frontier Airlines reporting the most significant impact, including 147 canceled flights and 212 delays.
- Banks and Financial Institutions: The outage caused disruptions in banking services, with numerous banks reporting system outages. In Australia, major banks faced significant operational challenges due to the outage.
- Media and Broadcasting: Media organizations, including NBC News and Sky News, experienced interruptions in their broadcasting services, leading to temporary halts in live news coverage .
- Telecommunications: Telecom companies also reported outages, further complicating communication efforts during the incident .
Technical Details and Response
Microsoft stated that it was actively working to mitigate the issues affecting its services. The company acknowledged that some residual impacts were still being addressed even after the initial problems were resolved.
Additionally, Crowdstrike, a cybersecurity firm, indicated that its software was involved in the issues affecting Windows devices, leading to system crashes known as the “Blue Screen of Death” for some users.