Breaking News
Services Resume After Global Computer Outage Disrupts Valley Airports and Phoenix Police
In a troubling turn of events early Friday morning, a massive global computer outage wreaked havoc across various sectors, including the Valley’s own Sky Harbor International Airport and the Phoenix Police Department. However, as the day progressed, many services began to return to normal, much to the relief of travelers and residents alike.
Airport Chaos
Sky Harbor International Airport was one of the first institutions to report issues, posting an alert on X (formerly Twitter) about significant delays and cancellations. By mid-morning, over 50 flights had been affected, although it remained unclear how many were directly related to the outage versus other operational challenges. FlightAware, a flight tracking service, indicated that thousands of flights were experiencing delays and cancellations nationwide.
Sky Harbor urged passengers to check directly with their airlines for the most accurate information regarding their flights. They warned travelers to expect longer lines as airline staff worked diligently to check in passengers amidst the confusion. By around 11:45 a.m., the airport announced that operations had returned to normal, though the ordeal had left many travelers frustrated. One traveler recounted waiting for hours and fearing he would miss an important graduation ceremony.
Mesa Gateway Airport also felt the impact of the outage, with all flights in and out of the airport canceled until at least 11 a.m. on Friday.
Impact on Public Safety
The ramifications of the outage extended beyond air travel, affecting public safety communications as well. Early reports indicated that numerous police departments across the U.S. experienced disruptions in their 911 services. In Phoenix, the Police Department confirmed that their 911 call center systems were restored after the widespread outage began late Thursday night. They encouraged the public to use non-emergency lines during the disruption, highlighting the importance of patience as they addressed the backlog of calls.
The Phoenix Fire Department also faced challenges, having to revert to manual processes to manage calls due to impacts on their computerized dispatch center. Thankfully, technology professionals were able to restore their systems swiftly.
Healthcare Sector Strain
The healthcare sector was not spared from the disruptions. Valleywise Health reported that some of its IT systems were impacted, necessitating a return to paper for certain patient charting processes. However, the emergency departments and the Level I Trauma Center remained operational, and scheduled surgeries continued as planned.
Banner Health, on the other hand, communicated to its employees that most ambulatory services would be closing for the day to focus on acute care facilities. Their official statement confirmed that while hospitals were open for inpatient care and emergencies, many other locations would remain closed due to the outage.
A Broader Impact
The ripple effects of this global computer outage reached beyond airports and emergency services. Gas stations, retailers, and shipping companies also reported disruptions, leading to inconvenience for consumers during their daily errands.
Fortunately, as the day unfolded, Microsoft 365 announced that services were beginning to return to normal, though residual impacts continued to affect some applications. According to tech expert Ken Colburn, the underlying issue had been identified, but required technical expertise to resolve for those affected.
Protecting Personal Data
While the CEO of Crowdstrike reassured the public that this incident was not a security breach or cyberattack, it did raise concerns about personal data safety. Here are some proactive measures consumers can take to protect themselves:
- Enhance Password Protection: Regularly change passwords, avoid reuse, and enable two-factor authentication where possible.
- Monitor Credit: Take advantage of free annual credit reports from major bureaus to keep an eye on your credit health.
- Consider a Credit Freeze: This adds an extra layer of security, preventing new accounts from being opened without your knowledge.
- Be Cautious with Links: Avoid clicking on unknown links or downloading attachments unless you are expecting them.
- Use Secure Payment Methods: Exercise caution with peer-to-peer payment platforms that may lack consumer protections.
As Valley residents and travelers breathe a sigh of relief with services returning to normal, this incident serves as a reminder of our growing dependence on technology and the importance of being prepared for unexpected disruptions. Stay informed, stay safe, and always protect your personal information.
For detailed information on this unfolding event, visit ABC News 15 Arizona’s website: https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/sky-harbor-airport-impacted-by-global-internet-outage.
STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories that celebrate the positive impacts shaping our world.
https://stmdailynews.com/category/stories-this-moment