HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Ongoing disruptions are being reported after Austin-based cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike announced it is working to resolve an issue affecting Microsoft apps and services.
CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz described the outage as a result of a “defect found in a single content update for Windows hosts.” The problem is causing significant disruptions globally, impacting airports, hospitals, 911 dispatch centers, and banks.
The outage led to global groundstops for American Airlines, United, and Delta, with airports across the nation slowly returning to normal operations. reporter Lileana Pearson observed at Houston’s Bush Intercontinental Airport, where many flights were canceled or delayed due to the outage.
Attention travelers: A global IT outage is causing delays and longer wait times. Please check directly with your airline for updates on your flight status. https://t.co/9BOm8IddMO
— Bush Intercontinental Airport (@iah) July 19, 2024
Later updates indicate that both Hobby and Bush airports in Houston are now fully operational, including concessions, TSA, and baggage check services. Passengers should confirm their flight status with airlines as some continue to experience issues.
Spirit Airlines is among the airlines affected, struggling to rebook passengers. United Airlines reported disruptions to its systems for aircraft weight calculations, check-ins, and call centers.
By Friday morning, over 18,000 flights globally had been delayed, and more than 1,500 canceled. Delta and American Airlines reported the highest rates of cancellations and delays.
In a statement, Kurtz clarified that the outage was not a cyberattack but a defect with a Microsoft update. He assured that Mac and Linux hosts are unaffected and that a fix has been deployed.
CrowdStrike is actively addressing the issue and providing updates through their support portal. They recommend organizations use official channels for communication.
CrowdStrike is addressing an issue with a single content update for Windows hosts. Mac and Linux hosts are unaffected. This is not a security incident or cyberattack. The issue has been identified, isolated, and a fix is being deployed. For updates, please visit our support portal.
— George Kurtz (@George_Kurtz) July 19, 2024
Hospitals worldwide are also feeling the impact. Houston Methodist and Texas Children’s Hospital reported no issues, while Harris Health experienced system outages due to the Microsoft failure. Harris Health is canceling outpatient clinic appointments and elective procedures for the day but keeping dialysis services open.
Harris Health is canceling outpatient clinic appointments and elective procedures due to the Microsoft Windows issue. Dialysis services at Harris Health Quentin Mease Health Center remain operational.
— Harris Health System (@harrishealth) July 19, 2024
Visitation and patient information services at Ben Taub and LBJ Hospitals have been suspended until further notice. Harris Health later reported that health centers are open for clinic appointments, though some services might be unavailable.
Memorial Hermann reported that all its hospitals are operational, with only minor interruptions to some applications.
Harris County issued a statement acknowledging the global outage and its impact on some county services. They are working to restore systems according to CrowdStrike’s guidance and expect full restoration by the end of the day.
The City of Houston reported no outages and is supporting the airports through its IT services.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office stated that its critical infrastructure and emergency operations, including the 911 call system, remain unaffected.
Port Houston announced that Barbours Cut and Bayport Container Terminals were temporarily closed due to the outage but expects to reopen later in the morning.
Dr. Javita Nsoh, a cybersecurity expert at the University of Houston, expressed concern over the widespread outages, suggesting that businesses might reconsider their reliance on cloud services for critical operations.
