Sentinel Technologies Addresses CrowdStrike Issue Impacting Windows Operating Systems
Downers Grove, IL (July 19, 2024) - Sentinel Technologies is aware of the recent CrowdStrike issue impacting numerous users. Our team is actively monitoring the situation and collaborating closely with both Microsoft and CrowdStrike to expedite a resolution.
What Happened?
Our current understanding indicates that a recent update from CrowdStrike has triggered a critical system failure, commonly referred to as the "Blue Screen of Death" (BSOD), on Windows operating systems. This issue appears to stem from a driver conflict within the CrowdStrike update, prompting the Windows operating system to halt operations to prevent further potential damage.
What Was the Impact?
Organizations with CrowdStrike's endpoint security deployed, especially those with automatic updates enabled, experienced widespread disruptions. Affected machines were unable to boot into Windows, rendering both Windows desktops and servers non-functional and halting business operations reliant on these systems.
What Is the Fix?
Currently, CrowdStrike has provided guidance to remove a specific file, which should allow affected devices to boot. CrowdStrike has also confirmed that they have retracted the update causing the initial issue. However, applying this fix requires a manual touchpoint with each device, a labor-intensive process further complicated by organizations using full disk encryption solutions like BitLocker. There are rumors of a potential automated fix via group policy, though this has not been confirmed.
Who Can Apply the Fix?
The manual nature of the fix necessitates interaction with each affected device, making the process highly resource-intensive. This challenge is amplified for organizations adhering to good practices, such as using full disk encryption.
What Is Sentinel Technologies Doing to Assist?
Our managed services teams immediately began engaging with customers as the event unfolded. Sentinel Technologies is providing comprehensive support to all affected clients, whether or not they procured CrowdStrike through us. Our sales teams are actively working with impacted customers to implement immediate solutions that could partially restore some business functions or supplement their staff to manually fix devices. Additionally, we are advising on after-action strategies and business continuity plans once the immediate issues are resolved.
Sentinel will continue to provide updates to affected customers, as well as on social media channels, as events continue to unfold.
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About Sentinel
Sentinel Technologies is a leading provider of innovative IT solutions, specializing in cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and cloud services. With a commitment to excellence and a focus on customer satisfaction, we deliver comprehensive solutions that drive business success.