Has a Cyber Attack Started Worldwide?
There have been significant disruptions in global internet access, affecting various sectors including airlines, television, and hospitals. Turkish Airlines (THY) has reported issues with ticketing and reservations due to problems in their information systems, and an official statement has been released regarding these issues.
Global Technical Glitches in Microsoft Services
Microsoft services have been facing global issues, impacting airlines, banks, and health systems worldwide, particularly affecting access to Microsoft services. Microsoft has acknowledged the problems and is working on mitigation measures to restore access. Affected services include Microsoft Defender, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Purview, and OneDrive.
Official Statements
– Microsoft: They have confirmed ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact on Microsoft 365 applications and services, and noted improvements in accessibility as these efforts continue. They attributed the primary cause to a configuration change in the Azure cloud system affecting storage and computing resources.
– Turkish Airlines (THY): Spokesperson Yahya Üstün announced via Twitter that ticketing and reservation services are disrupted due to issues in their information systems. Efforts are underway to resolve the problem and minimize passenger inconvenience.
Broader Impacts
The issue is not confined to the aviation sector. It has caused disruptions across various industries:
– Media: The UK news channel Sky News had to halt broadcasts temporarily, with a blue screen appearing during a live broadcast.
– Healthcare and Other Sectors: Hospitals, banks, and even gaming consoles are affected. Airports in cities like Sydney, Berlin, and Spain are warning passengers of potential disruptions, with some airports resorting to manual check-in procedures.
Specific Incidents
– Airlines: Major U.S. airlines such as United, Delta, and American Airlines have suspended flights.
– Hong Kong: Hong Kong airport is manually handling check-ins, and Marriot hotels in the region are using paper and pen for reservations.
– Tokyo: Narita Airport is experiencing delays.
– Los Angeles: The airport’s information systems displayed blue screens.
– Israel and South Africa: The Bank of Israel and South Africa’s Capitec Bank have reported issues in their banking systems.
Financial Market Reaction
– Stock Impact: Shares of CrowdStrike, the cybersecurity firm implicated in causing the Microsoft 365 issues, fell by 14%. Microsoft shares saw a 2% drop in pre-market trading. The broader market for entertainment and tourism stocks also experienced declines.
Timeline of Events
According to Bloomberg, the issues began in the United States on Thursday. Although an announcement was made around 1 AM that the problem was resolved, it became evident that this resolution was only partial, affecting specific regions.
Analog Solutions Resurface
Due to these widespread software issues, traditional methods are being employed. For instance, India’s budget airline Go Indigo is issuing handwritten tickets to passengers, a method shared by one of the passengers on social media. (HABER GLOBAL)
