Microsoft has confirmed that a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack was the catalyst for a significant outage affecting its Azure cloud platform, which in turn disrupted various services globally. This incident, which unfolded on Tuesday, caused a ripple effect, impacting users of Microsoft 365, Purview, and even popular applications like Starbucks and Minecraft.
Details of the Outage
The disruption began around 11:45 a.m. UTC (7:45 a.m. EST) and persisted for nearly eight hours, with Azure reporting connectivity issues for a subset of its customers. The company acknowledged that an initial error in its defense mechanisms may have exacerbated the situation rather than alleviating it. In a message on social media platform X, Azure Support extended apologies for the inconvenience caused to users.
Reports of the outage varied, with some companies experiencing complaints numbering in the hundreds or low thousands, as tracked by Downdetector. Notable entities affected included the Dutch football club FC Twente and the U.K. government’s HM Courts and Tribunals Service, alongside numerous gamers experiencing interruptions in Minecraft. Fortunately, many users found workarounds, and services were largely restored within hours.
Starbucks customers were also caught in the crossfire, with a spokesperson indicating that users faced temporary difficulties accessing the mobile order and pay feature due to the third-party system outage. However, by early afternoon, most functionalities had been reinstated.
In a statement issued to the Associated Press, Microsoft confirmed that the service interruption had been “fully resolved” and directed users to Azure’s status page for further updates. The company plans to release a preliminary post-incident report within 72 hours, shedding light on the specifics of the attack and its aftermath.
Context and Implications
This latest incident comes on the heels of a previous disruption caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, which affected millions of Windows-powered devices globally. Additionally, Microsoft is currently under scrutiny regarding its cybersecurity practices. A federal cybersecurity review board recently criticized the company for a “cascade of errors” that allowed state-backed Chinese cyber operators to infiltrate the email accounts of senior U.S. officials, highlighting significant deficiencies in Microsoft’s security culture.
In light of these challenges, CEO Satya Nadella emphasized the importance of cybersecurity during a recent earnings call, reiterating that it remains a top priority for the company as it navigates the complexities of the global technology landscape.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – Associated Press)