Microsoft outages: The implications of downtime on the delivery of critical public services

It became evident that the issue was not related to Microsoft’s Azure service, but rather a faulty update from a software provider called CrowdStrike. This update spread quickly through Azure global networks, causing problems for millions of Microsoft machines.

The impact on affected businesses and the general public was significant, but the world quickly resumed normal operations after the resolution of the issue. However, on July 30, 2024, Microsoft experienced another outage, affecting businesses globally.

This latest outage highlighted the overreliance on cloud services, which may not always be reliable. It is essential to understand the differences between breaches and outages, as they have varying implications and causes.

The recent outages at Microsoft raise concerns about the security and reliability of cloud services. The timing of the attacks, especially during a crucial earnings report, suggests a targeted effort rather than a random error.

The adoption of public cloud services by critical sectors like policing and emergency services poses a significant risk, as these services are not designed for high-risk use. The UK government needs to reassess its reliance on cloud services for critical operations to prevent potential crises in the future.

Microsoft’s accountability in these incidents cannot be overlooked, and it is crucial for government oversight to ensure the safety and reliability of critical national services. Lessons must be learned from these incidents to avoid similar vulnerabilities in the future.