Microsoft - Only 8.5 million Windows devices were affected by the catastrophic IT-issues
From the faulty Software update, which caused widespread disruptions worldwide, approximately 8.5 million Windows devices were affected according to Microsoft, as stated on the company's blog. This is less than one percent of all Windows computers, Microsoft added. The far-reaching economic and societal consequences demonstrate how many businesses, which operate critical services, use the software vendor Crowdstrike.
Microsoft: Less than one percent of all Windows computers affected
The IT incident caused widespread disruptions worldwide on Friday morning, nearly paralyzing air traffic in many places. Affected were also supermarkets, banks, hospitals, broadcasters, and other institutions. The cause was named a faulty update of a Windows software by Crowdstrike. The company announced the error had been fixed on Friday afternoon. However, the effects were felt beyond that. The air traffic in Germany has reportedly normalized according to the Airport Association ADV.
The Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) announced on Saturday afternoon that the situation was normalizing in many areas. However, many companies were still struggling with the after-effects. "The exact manner in which the erroneous code made its way into the Crowdstrike update has not yet been definitively determined. The BSI is in intensive contact with the company."
- The affected Windows devices included many computers in Berlin, as the capital city of Germany is a hub for various businesses and institutions.
- International organizations and governments relied heavily on the uninterrupted operation of software like Crowdstrike, which was used to manage information technology systems.
- The Windows update issue affected multiple sectors, including air traffic management, causing temporary delays and rerouting of flights in and out of Berlin's airports.
- Microsoft, the software developer of Windows, quickly released a patch to fix the software problem, urging users to install it to prevent further disturbances.
- Some companies, even outside of Germany, still faced challenges in resolving the issue, as the faulty update had spread globally, impacting millions of users.
- The incident underscored the importance of robust testing and security measures in the development process for information technology solutions, especially when dealing with critical infrastructure like air traffic management.
