Global computer outage cancels 3,000 US flights

A faulty software update from CrowdStrike, a cybersecurity company, triggered a global tech nightmare. Thousands of flights were grounded, leaving passengers stranded worldwide. The disruption wasn’t limited to airports – critical services like banks, government agencies, and even emergency hotlines were crippled.

Despite the chaos, CrowdStrike assured it wasn’t a cyberattack. However, the technical glitch caused major disruptions at airports like Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson, where frustrated travelers faced cancellations and missed important events. Airlines like Delta grounded all flights, while others like JetBlue advised passengers to monitor the situation.

Microsoft, a client of CrowdStrike, and CrowdStrike itself scrambled for a solution. Unfortunately, fixing the problem required manual system restarts, a slow process that many businesses lacked the expertise to handle quickly.

This incident highlights our dependence on a handful of tech providers and the vulnerability of our interconnected world. A single glitch can cause widespread disruption, impacting everything from travel plans to emergency services.

Re-reported from the article originally posted on CNN.