National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Lami Victor KADUNA
A massive global IT outage has disrupted operations across various sectors, including banks, airlines, telecom providers, broadcast networks, and supermarkets, hindering their ability to function online.
In reports monitored on BBC by our correspondent, the United States, major airlines such as Delta, United, and American Airlines experienced system-wide ground stops on Friday morning due to technical communication issues.
Passengers at Edinburgh Airport in Scotland encountered difficulties using automated boarding pass scanners, with security monitors displaying a “server offline” message.
In the United Kingdom, Govia Thameslink Railway’s four brands – Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express, and Great Northern – reported widespread IT failures impacting their services.
It was gathered that Sky News was briefly taken off the air, leaving viewers without access to its broadcast.
The disruption extended to India, where three airlines experienced IT issues.
Similarly, Berlin Brandenburg Airport in Germany suspended flights due to a technical problem. All Spanish airports are reportedly grappling with IT outages.
Additionally, Microsoft 365 users globally have faced difficulties accessing cloud-based applications.
While there are no specific reports of Nigerian airlines or airports being affected, the outage’s global nature suggests potential risks to international flights and financial transactions involving foreign banks.
Local businesses using Microsoft 365 may experience access issues, affecting their operations. Authorities and IT departments are however advised to remain vigilant and prepared for any disruptions.
