Tuesday, February 11, 2025

The Global IT Outage Impact Explained

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GP services in England and Northern Ireland were severely disrupted due to IT problems caused by a software update by CrowdStrike.

GPs were unable to treat patients, planes couldn’t take off, and small businesses lost money. The full impact of the global IT outage on 19 July is still emerging.

A faulty software update by CrowdStrike affected up to eight and half million computers worldwide using Microsoft systems. CrowdStrike’s senior manager will address the US Congress to explain the incident.

Dr. David Wrigley, a GP for 22 years, highlighted delays in cancer treatments due to the outage. He emphasized the need for stronger support from NHS England and the UK government.

Dr David Wrigley
Dr. David Wrigley calls for more support for GPs during such crises.

The IT outage also impacted Northern Ireland, where 75% of GPs use the affected system. The Department of Health is working on strengthening continuity plans.

Prof. Kamila Hawthorne stressed the importance of safeguards for such situations. Meanwhile, airports worldwide and small businesses like Dawn’s and Hannah’s suffered losses.


Vocabulary List:

  1. Disruption /dɪsˈrʌp.ʃən/ (noun): A disturbance that stops or interrupts an event or process.
  2. Outage /ˈaʊ.tɪdʒ/ (noun): A period when a service or utility is not available.
  3. Emphasized /ˈɛm.fə.saɪzd/ (verb): To give special importance or prominence to something in speaking or writing.
  4. Safeguards /ˈseɪf.ɡɑːrd/ (noun): Measures taken to protect someone or something or to prevent something undesirable.
  5. Continuity /ˌkɒn.tɪˈnjuː.ɪ.ti/ (noun): The unbroken and consistent existence or operation of something over a period of time.
  6. Affected /əˈfɛk.tɪd/ (adjective): Influenced or touched by an external factor.

How much do you know?


What caused the severe disruption of GP services in England and Northern Ireland?
Power outage
Software update by CrowdStrike
Human error
Natural disaster


How many computers worldwide were affected by the faulty software update by CrowdStrike?
Three million
Five million
Eight and a half million
Ten million


Who highlighted delays in cancer treatments due to the IT outage?
Prof. Kamila Hawthorne
Dr. David Wrigley
CrowdStrike's senior manager
Department of Health


What percentage of GPs in Northern Ireland use the affected system?
25%
50%
75%
100%


Who called for stronger support for GPs during crises like the IT outage?
Prof. Kamila Hawthorne
Dr. David Wrigley
CrowdStrike's senior manager
Department of Health


Which entities suffered losses due to the IT outage?
Airports worldwide and small businesses like Dawn's and Hannah's
Hospitals and schools
Large corporations only
Government agencies

This question is required


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