A massive Microsoft services outage on Thursday caused frustration across the globe as thousands rushed to check emails, seek customer service assistance, and use the usual volume of Microsoft services like Outlook and Teams. Some were left unable to access their data, while others experienced difficulties logging onto their accounts.
The source of the outage was a ‘network issue’ according to Microsoft. Essentially, the outage was caused by limited work done by the service providers to ensure that their base network was constantly updated. The disruption took out several services worldwide, which left users frustrated and unable to access Outlook, Teams, and other services.
Fortunately, the issue was quickly resolved and all services were back online within a few hours. Microsoft has also stated that there is no evidence of any malicious attack; as such, customers’ data was never compromised.
The outage served as a prime example of how vulnerable business operations can become when providers fail to keep their software and services up-to-date. Organizations should review their own procedures and policies to ensure they always maintain a healthy network, while always making sure they’re compliant with industry standards and best practices.
Although frustrating, the outage also emphasized the resiliency of the Microsoft’s products and services, demonstrating how quickly the services were restored in spite of the disruption. On the other hand, they should show more vigilance in terms of setting up and maintaining their network infrastructure — this incident has proven that it can bring the entire platform down.
Microsoft customers should be relieved that the incident was resolved quickly and that their data remained tethered to their accounts. Microsoft, for its part, has assured customers that their services have and will continue to remain secure. As for their customers, it’s time for a refresher in cloud safety and maintenance protocols.
Hey Subscribe to our newsletter for more articles like this directly to your email.