Global IT outage affects Canadian security, border crossings, airports

July 19, 2024July 19, 2024Airoport, canada, Cyber security, Flight cancellations, IT, Microsoft, Microsoft update, online security, tachnology

An international technology failure today caused delays at Canadian border crossings, hospital disruptions, airplane cancellations and cause even bank account charges. The outage lingered for hours after Microsoft service problems were said to be resolved.

Cybersecurity company CrowdStrike stated that the outage was not a result of a security breach or cyberattack, but rather happened when it installed an incorrect update on Windows-powered devices. Microsoft 365 apps and services were impacted by the problem, which persisted even after the tech giant announced it was gradually resolving.

That sounds really innocent, yet many Canadians have reported unauthorized Microsoft charges on their bank accounts!

The issue caused Windows computers and servers to crash and put them in a recovery loop that prevented them from starting again. Apps and services offered by Microsoft 365 were impacted. Downdetector, a website that monitors internet outages reported by users, has observed an increase in disruptions affecting Visa, ADT security, Amazon, and airlines.

Although the effects were not constant, airline travel was particularly impacted. Some airlines like American, Delta, United and Porter were affected by the outage while Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing and Flair were not.

Approximately 2,691 of the approximately 110,000 scheduled commercial flights today have been cancelled internationally thus far, and more are anticipated, according to statistics from the international aviation analytics company Cirium.

Airports throughout Canada have issued advisories to patrons who are flying or picking up loved ones to confirm the status of their flights before departing.