The outage was triggered by a faulty software update from CrowdStrike, a leading antivirus provider. According to Daniel Ng, CEO of CyberOwl, a UK maritime security specialist, the impact extended to both onboard ship systems and shore-based operations within shipping companies. Ng noted that while the outages were somewhat contained due to CrowdStrike's limited adoption among shipping firms, significant disruptions were still reported.
In addition to operational challenges onboard ships, crew travel and financial departments within shipping companies were also severely affected. Airlines experienced flight cancellations, while several banks went offline, compounding the global impact of the IT failure.
The incident underscores the vulnerabilities inherent in global supply chains reliant on complex IT infrastructures, highlighting the need for robust contingency plans and cybersecurity measures in the maritime industry.