An IT failure caused by a CrowdStrike update to Windows hosts has caused global IT outages, impacting airlines, broadcasters, retailers and several other businesses.
So far the impact to logistics has not been as severe as in passenger transport, though the Port of Gdansk has confirmed the IT outage has hit its operations.
Microsoft and CrowdStrike – what happened?
In an advisory issued to its users, CrowdStrike said it was “aware of reports of crashes on Windows hosts related to the Falcon Sensor,” including the error widely referred to as the blue screen of death.
“Crowdstrike is actively working with customers impacted by a defect found in a single content update for Windows hosts. Mac and Linux hosts are not impacted. This is not a security incident or cyberattack. The issue has been identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed. We refer customers to the support portal for the latest updates and will continue to provide complete and continuous updates on our website. “We further recommend organisations ensure they’re communicating with Crowdstrike representatives through official channels. Our team is fully mobilised to ensure the security and stability of Crowdstrike customers,” said George Kurtz, the CEO of Crowdstrike, in a separate statement.
Meanwhile, in its own media statement regarding the problems, Microsoft said:
“We are aware of an issue affecting Windows devices due to an update from a third party software platform. We anticipate a resolution is forthcoming.”
CrowdStrike “not very commonly used” in the shipping industry
Asked for comment on the IT disruption, Daniel Ng, CEO of CyberOwl, a company that provides cybersecurity services for the shipping industry, told Splash247 he was “aware of shipping companies being impacted on both their ship and shore systems.”
However, the CyberOwl CEO added that the issues were “relatively contained” due to Crowdstrike not being in common use among shipping companies at this moment in time.
Issues at the port of Gdansk and Ashdod
In a statement made by Shift Manager Radosław Cieślik, Port of Gdansk operator Baltic Hub explained that due to the global failure of Microsoft operating systems, operations at the terminal are being hindered.
“We are working on resolving the issue. We will inform you immediately once the failure is resolved, please do not proceed to the Terminal. We inform you that on 17/07 from 6:00, the gates for submitting empty EVG containers are closed. The rail gates for these containers will be closed at 18:00,” said Cieślik.
Moveover, in Israel, Ashdod Port said this morning that it was investigating how the problem is affecting its systems and also warned that there was “no service available for trucks and ships at this time”.
Post of Dover experienced delays this morning
Finally, writing on X this morning, the Port of Dover also explained that it was suffering due to IT outages, but that that the situation has since been resolved:
“Good Morning. We are currently experiencing IT outages and are processing traffic through border control. Dwell times were slightly longer for check-ins this morning, but this has been resolved. Queue in the buffer zone is 40 minutes.”