CrowdStrike Update Leads to Windows BSOD and How Finc IT Can Help

In the ever-evolving world of IT, challenges are inevitable. Recently, a significant event unfolded that impacted businesses worldwide. A faulty update by CrowdStrike, a major player in cybersecurity, led to a global outage across Microsoft Windows systems. This incident underscores the importance of robust IT support and management, something we at Finc IT are passionate about.

The Incident

Thousands of businesses and individuals using Windows systems experienced system crashes, the infamous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), and bootloop. This global outage was attributed to a faulty update by CrowdStrike⁵. The glitch affected Windows servers and workstations, causing disruptions in Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 services.

The Cause

CrowdStrike is a trusted name in cybersecurity, with many businesses worldwide relying on their software to protect their Windows servers and PCs from cyber threats. The global outage was linked to a software update by CrowdStrike. According to George Kurtz, CEO of CrowdStrike, the outage was caused by a "defect" in a content update for Windows hosts. He assured that this was not a security incident or cyberattack.

The Impact

The outage affected thousands of businesses across various sectors, including:

• Emergency services in Canada and many major American cities, including the 911 emergency services in New York, Arizona, and Alaska.
• The health hotline in Catalonia, Spain.
• Hospitals in the Netherlands, the US, and Spain
• The UK’s National Health Services’ (NHS) clinical computer system.
• Dutch broadcasting organization NOS reported that the glitch disrupted the Schiphol Airport.
• Airports and airlines in Australia, Germany, Scotland, Spain, India, the Netherlands and the UK.
• Multiple news outlets and television stations, such as ABC and Sky News
• The London Stock Exchange in the UK. Several banks in Australia and New Zealand.

The incident highlights the critical role of IT infrastructure in maintaining business continuity.

Suggested Workaround

While the company fixes the issue, it has provided a few workaround steps for people who have been affected.

• Boot Windows into Safe Mode or the Windows Recovery Environment
• Navigate to the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\CrowdStrike directory.
• Locate the file “C-00000291*.sys”, and delete it.
• Boot the host normally.

How Finc IT Can Help

At Finc IT, we understand the importance of uninterrupted business operations. Our Managed IT Support Service is designed to provide proactive and reliable support for your entire IT infrastructure¹. We ensure your technology works as hard as you do.

In today's digital landscape, protecting your business from cyber threats is essential. Our Managed Security Services provide comprehensive protection against cyber attacks, data breaches, and other security risks. We employ industry-leading security measures to safeguard your sensitive data and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements².

We also offer Modern Workplace Solutions to help you leverage the latest technologies to create a flexible and efficient work environment. We enable your team to collaborate seamlessly, regardless of location.

In the face of disruptions like the recent Microsoft outage, our Managed Resilience services ensure business continuity. From disaster recovery planning to proactive risk mitigation, we fortify your business against unforeseen challenges.

At Finc IT, we transform challenges into opportunities. Contact us today and let's navigate the future of IT together.