Various global businesses such as airlines, financial firms and media companies faced considerable disruptions due to an international IT malfunction on Friday. This issue, which has been attributed to an update to CrowdStrike’s security software causing complications with Microsoft’s Windows software, has impacted companies around the world, including Australia. Microsoft, a prominent US tech corporation, has yet to comment on the matter.
Air travel operators and carriers across locations such as Ireland, Europe, and Australia have expressed concerns over potential delays stemming from the IT disruptions. Sydney Airport confirmed that its operations were affected by an international technical glitch and although flights were scheduled to depart and arrive as per the plan, passengers were warned to anticipate delays.
Berlin’s Brandenburg Airport also experienced issues due to “a system error” leading to slower check-in processes. Spain’s primary airport operator, Aena, stated that due to an incident in its information technology system, airport functions were being conducted manually, inevitably resulting in potential delays.
The silver lining to these IT issues is that despite the continued increase in property prices and slowing house sales, the real economy perseveres in its robust growth. The EY Entrepreneur of the Year nominees embodied this spirit, showcasing innovations ranging from treatments for male hair loss to the provision of e-scooters across Europe.
Source: The Financial Times Limited 2024.