Priya PatelTLDR:
- Global Microsoft tech outage impacts businesses and residents in Eastern Carolina.
- Cybersecurity expert emphasizes the importance of businesses having a continuity plan.
Cybersecurity experts have provided insight into the global Microsoft tech outage that caused a computer systems crash, impacting businesses and residents in Eastern Carolina. The issue originated from a Microsoft update error pushed out by cybersecurity company CrowdStrike, affecting services like the DMV, hospitals, and convenience stores in the region.
Despite the disruption, ENC hospital systems were able to remain operational, thanks to their protocols. ECU Technology Systems Instructor Joseph Jeansonne highlighted the importance of businesses having a continuity plan in place to handle such outages effectively. Having a plan ensures that the business can continue operations with minimal disruptions and financial losses.
The software issue also affected convenience stores like Circle K and Speedway in Greenville, where customers could only pay with cash for most of the day. Jeansonne stressed the critical nature of update testing, recalling a past incident with Microsoft in the 90s where an update caused harm to computers.
The Chief Executive of CrowdStrike has confirmed that they have identified and isolated the issue, and a fix has been deployed. The North Carolina DMV also stated that all services had been restored after the outage. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being prepared for technology disruptions in today’s digital age.
