6.6 C
Manchester
Saturday, April 5, 2025
CyberGPs, media companies and banks worldwide suffer mass IT outage

GPs, media companies and banks worldwide suffer mass IT outage

Banks, airlines, GPs, supermarkets and media companies are among those who have suffered a major IT outage this morning as they were taken offline.

American Airlines, Delta Airlines and United Airlines flights were among those grounded while rail companies were warning of “widespread IT issues”.

The IT outage has also reached the UK’s GP surgeries, with staff unable to patient records or book appointments.
The impact on the emergency services is currently unknown.

It is understood that the outage is related to an issue with global cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike and Microsoft and is affecting Windows PCs worldwide.

CrowdStrike chief executive, George Kurtz, took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain that “the defect [was] found in a single content update for Windows hosts This is not a security incident or cyberattack. The issue has been identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed.’

Cyber-security experts have said that while there is now a software fix, it will take a lot of work to get computers back up and running.

Al Lakhani, CEO of IDEE said: “CrowdStrike’s platform approach, which relies on a single agent focused on detection, can create significant issues. For instance, agents require installation and maintenance of software on multiple different OSes, adding layers of complexity and potential points of failure. Moreover, agents can become a single point of failure, as a bad update can compromise the entire network, as seen with the SolarWinds attack.

“The lesson here is blindingly obvious: investing in cybersecurity is not just about acquiring the latest or most popular tools but ensuring those tools are reliable and resilient. This is why businesses must prioritise agentless solutions like MFA 2.0, which reduce the risk of widespread failures and ensure more resilient defences.”

Helen Greaney
Helen Greaney
I'm a journalist with more than 18 years' experience on local, regional and national newspapers, as well as PR and digital marketing. Crime and the courts is my specialist area but I'm also keen to hear your stories concerning Manchester and the greater North West region.
Latest

Bolton police uncover more than 200 cannabis plants

Police in Bolton uncovered a cannabis farm after a tip-off this morning. A warrant was carried out at Blackshaw House, Thornbank North, at 8.30am. Inside, 220...

People’s History Museum introduces its re-launched venue hire offer

People’s History Museum (PHM) has relaunched its venue hire offer, comprising the very best of both its heritage and contemporary multi-use spaces. The transformation has been...

Manchester prepares to mark VE Day

Celebrations to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day are set to take place throughout Manchester. On May 8, 80 years will have passed since...

Man jailed for campaign of abuse

A man has been jailed for a campaign of physical and sexual abuse. Ryan Schofield (34) of Whiteacre Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, was sentenced to life imprisonment...
Subscribe to our newsletter
Business Manchester will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.
Don't miss

SYSPRO Research Reveals Strategic ERP Benefits for Mid-Sized Manufacturers and Distributors

SYSPRO has unveiled new insights designed to help executives at mid-sized businesses better understand the advantages of integrating an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. For...

Clarke Bell Reports Sharp Rise in Solvent Liquidations Amid Economic Pressures

Leading insolvency firm Clarke Bell has revealed a striking month-on-month rise in Members’ Voluntary Liquidations (MVLs), completing nearly four times as many solvent closures...

Investigators appeal following road traffic collision in Wigan

Police are appealing for witnesses following a road collision in Leigh, Wigan. At around 3pm on Monday, officers were called to the junction of Kirkhall...

Two men arrested in money laundering crackdown

Warrants were carried out yesterday as part of an operation cracking down on money laundering in Greater Manchester. Two men, aged 30 and 25, have...

More News

Man jailed for campaign of abuse

A man has been jailed for a campaign of physical and sexual abuse. Ryan Schofield (34) of Whiteacre Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, was sentenced to life imprisonment...

Garden centre run by one family for six decades, up for sale

A garden centre that has been run by the same family for 60 years, is now in need of a new owner. Business property adviser,...

‘Heart of gold’: Darren Orme’s family pay tribute

The family of Darren Orme have paid tribute to him. On March 24, police recovered his body following a search in the Stadium Way area...