At present everybody uses the latest tech as these things make our living smooth and save a lot of time. This new and improved technology saves effort and is quite accurate in solving complex problems in a few seconds. But when they get down or something happens due to error, a frustrating scenario appears and the situation goes out of control and turns into a big disaster… when it occurs in the whole world due to tech it is called a global tech outage.
What is a Global Tech Outage?
In simple word when all system of a firm or an organization get down, then it is called tech outrage means you can’t access your system due to power outage, slow internet or any other reason.
When same scenario happens at global level... as we know at present time all systems are connected with each other and when all these system went down simultaneously then this tech outrage is termed as global tech outrage and it recently happened in July 19, 2024.
Global Tech Outrage 2024
The global tech outage of 2024 happened on July 19 due to a small software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike in Windows OS. When this happened all Windows-loaded systems went down in a few minutes and those systems that were installed at Airports, Banks, Healthcare, Media, Hospitality faced downtime.
As per reports, the situation went out of control as it affected multiple areas simultaneously and customers or passengers were stranded mid-way through the journey and unable to board the plane. In a day after report it has been found that the 2024 global tech outrage nearly impacted 8.5 million Microsoft Windows devices.
Reason – Why 2024 Global Tech Outrage Happened?
There can be multiple reasons why global tech outrage happened in 2024, but the main reason of tech outage is inter-connectivity of all systems, especially those running on cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure and faulty software update from the central source.
Earlier the deployment of systems were isolated, means no systems were connected to outer world except the main one. Hence to install any update you have to sign in at each systems to install new updates. But nowadays, due to presence of cloud computing technology all systems are connected with each other and if any security or safety update needs to install in every system then it is just a matter of few minutes. As the systems are on cloud, the new update can be deployed across multiple systems simultaneously in just few minutes.
The major cloud platforms are Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, or Microsoft Azure and at present time, most organizations now rely on cloud platforms to deploy their applications and store customer data. So basically the systems that organizations used are on cloud and the cloud provider manages it and if any update comes the cloud provider, roll out to all connected systems automatically. It is cloud provider (Azure, AWS) who upload new updates in system so they all run smoothly without creating issue.
But in 2024 Global tech outage, this feature become a disaster. As every system was connected on cloud, the new faulty software update disturbed the working process of all systems. In one shot, the defective software update installed on every system and they all went down and many services then put on halt, causing widespread outages and it became a breaking tech news of 2024!
Other Reasons of Global Tech outrage can be…
- Cloud server down: When cloud server-based services such as websites, apps, and databases go down, it directly affects many businesses.
- Cyber attacks: Large scale cyber attacks such as Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) can also cause global technical disruptions.
- Technical problems in data centers: If a major data center catches fire or has any other major problem, it can also cause major services to be shut down.
- Software bugs: Major software updates or faulty updates or any kind of bugs also sometimes cause global services to be down.
Regarding the global tech outrage, it was fixed after several hours by distributing a patch to all affected systems. When systems received and installed the patch, they began to recover and function normally.
Tips to deal with Global Technical Disruptions or Tech Outrage
As you now well aware of what is tech outrage, what is global tech outrage and why it happened in 2024, let now discuss about the most important question – how can we deal with such global level tech disruptions?
Can we avoid these kind of global tech outrage? Can we fix it or what can we do? Let’s find out in detail below. Here are some important steps you can follow to minimize the damage caused by such disruptions in your business or personal life:
Use different cloud services
It is advised by the experts, that don’t depend on one cloud provider, instead of relying completely on a single cloud service, adopt a multi-cloud strategy and be ready with that in case of any miss-happening.
This means that you split your services across different cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Azure. If one service goes down, your data and services will be safe on another cloud.
Maintain backup systems
Backup is very important in tech field and it is always notified regularly backup data and store it in another location so that it can be retrieved easily in case of a technical disruption. Keep backup systems automated so that you don’t have to do it manually every time.
Have a temporary solution ready
Have a temporary solution ready in case of a technical outage. This solution can be to inform customers, provide limited services, or transfer to another server. For example, if your cloud server is down, have a temporary website ready that can inform customers about the outage.
Offline mode facility
If your services are completely online based, you may need to add offline mode to your services. This will allow a customer to work offline if they want to use your services and your website or app goes down, and the data will be synced as soon as the service is back up.
Prepare a Disaster Recovery Plan
Your business should have a disaster management plan. This plan will not only keep you safe in case of a technical outage, but it will also let you know what steps to take in an emergency. This plan will help your IT team stay on track and let them know which services to prioritize and which to fix later.
Train employees
Your employees should know what to do if a technical outage occurs. Hold regular training sessions so that they can respond appropriately during outages. A train employee can easily and quickly fix the issue.
Keep customers informed
Customers should not be left in the dark during technical outages. Create a clear communication strategy so that you can keep your customers informed at all times. This strategy can be through your social media channels, email, and a temporary page on your website that informs customers about the issue.
Invest in security
Investing in cybersecurity is extremely important. Adopt strong firewalls, antivirus, and network security solutions to avoid cyber attacks. Also, update your systems regularly so that no vulnerabilities remain that can be exploited by cybercriminals.
Conclusion
Global tech outrage is a serious issue which we need to avoid. What happened in July 2024, we don’t want to repeat it… hence it is best to overcome dependency don’t depend on one service or operating system. Try use different operating systems which are fast and easy to use, invest in security and last but not least maintain regular backups locally in drives or online on cloud storage.
With the right preparations and strategies, the damage caused can be minimized to a great extent and you can resume your services very quickly without any loss + you can server your customers better.
Additionally, it is advised during any technical disruption, act calmly, follow the right procedures and maintain clear communication with your customers and team. This way everything works very well!
If you follow the above tips, global tech outrage will not have a huge impact on our business or personal life and we can easily overcome this challenge.
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