Global tech outage eases after widespread disruption, new focus seen on risks

Delta and Southwest commercial airliners are seen at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S., April 5, 2024. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo

(Reuters) -Services from airlines to healthcare, shipping and finance were coming back online on Friday after a mistake in a security software update sparked hours-long global computer systems outages, another incident highlighting the vulnerability of the world's interconnected technologies.

After the outage was resolved, companies were dealing with backlogs of delayed and canceled flights and medical appointments, missed orders and other issues that could take days to resolve. Businesses also face questions about how to avoid future blackouts triggered by technology meant to safeguard their systems.