After hundreds of millions of dollars in losses, it's war between Microsoft, Crowdstrike and Delta

© QuinceCreative/Pixabay

Remember last month, a faulty cybersecurity software update triggered a global outage, causing massive losses for many companies.

Today, tech giants Microsoft and Crowdstrike are locked in a bitter legal battle with Delta Airlines, with each side blaming the other. But who is to blame in this story ?

A bug with devastating consequences

The outage that rocked the digital world last July was not a simple technical incident. It has paralyzed the systems of many organizations, from airlines to hospitals, the media and even the organization of the Paris 2024 Olympics. At the heart of this storm, Delta Airlines suffered particularly heavy damage.

The American airline had to cancel no less than 6,000 flights, affecting 1.3 million passengers. The financial loss is estimated at 500 million dollars. A hard blow for Delta, which does not intend to stop there.

The clash of the titans with Delta against Microsoft and Crowdstrike

© Pexels/Salvatore De Lellis

Faced with these astronomical losses, Delta Airlines has decided to go on the offensive. The company is considering filing a lawsuit against Microsoft and Crowdstrike for “negligence,” demanding $500 million in compensation. Obviously, the tech giants are not going to let this happen.

Microsoft is counterattacking by pointing the finger at Delta's obsolete infrastructure. The Redmond giant claims that the company was unable to get its systems up and running quickly after deploying the patch for the flaw, unlike its competitors. In addition, Microsoft and Crowdstrike claim to have offered their help to Delta at the time of the outage, an offer that has apparently remained unheeded.

Delta responds by denouncing a ” misleading narrative “. The company emphasizes that it has invested billions in its technology and explains its difficulties by its dependence on Microsoft and therefore, by extension, Crowdstrike. For Delta's lawyer, it is inconceivable to hold the company responsible for defective software that brought down systems around the world.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

The domino effect of a global bug

This case is not limited to a simple conflict between three large companies. It reveals the fragility of our interconnected systems and the risks inherent in this technological dependence.

Crowdstrike shareholders have filed a lawsuit against the company, accusing it of making ” false and misleading ” statementson its software testing. Delta passengers whose flights were canceled have also filed lawsuits against the airline.

The incident was so public that Michael Sentonas, Crowdstrike’s president, was awarded the unenviable “biggest software failure” of the year at the Pwnie Awards. An embarrassing recognition that Sentonas chose to accept with humility, promising that the failure would serve as a lesson for the future.

A call for vigilance for the industry

© X/Crowdstrike

For airlines and other organizations reliant on complex IT systems, the incident underscores the importance of having robust business continuity plans. The ability to react quickly and effectively in the event of a major breakdown is becoming a strategic issue.

Finally, this legal battle could have repercussions on the entire industry of tech. It could prompt companies to review their contracts and clarify responsibilities in the event of software failure.

The outcome of this case could well redefine the relationship between technology providers and customers in a world of growing digital dependency.

• Global IT outage caused by faulty Crowdstrike update causes Delta Airlines to lose $500 million
• Delta plans to sue Microsoft and Crowdstrike, who blame the airline’s outdated infrastructure
• Case raises critical questions about tech companies’ liability and the security of interconnected systems

📍 To never miss any Presse-citron news, follow us on Google News and WhatsApp.

[ ]