Microsoft will host a summit on Tuesday to address steps for strengthening cybersecurity systems, following a global IT outage in July caused by a faulty software update from security firm CrowdStrike.
The outage affected nearly 8.5 million Windows devices and disrupted operations across sectors including airlines, banking, and healthcare.
This summit, held at Microsoft’s Redmond, Washington headquarters, marks the company’s first major response to the outage that occurred on July 19. Government representatives have been invited to participate in the event.
The July incident raised significant concerns about the preparedness of organizations to implement contingency plans when critical IT systems or software fail. Analysts noted that the disruption also highlighted the risks of relying on a single vendor for comprehensive security solutions.
Delta Air Lines, which experienced mass flight cancellations due to the outage, has stated that it is pursuing legal action against both CrowdStrike and Microsoft, citing losses of at least $500 million.
