Microsoft Windows outage


Dear Cornell Community,

Cornell University is currently experiencing a large-scale technology incident, primarily affecting Microsoft Windows machines. This issue is part of a global outage caused by a problematic update from one of the nation’s largest anti-virus software providers, CrowdStrike.

Overnight, the vendor stopped deployment of the update, corrected the problematic code, and started sending a new patch. Our IT teams have successfully recovered many critical systems, including those enabling single sign-on and multi-factor authentication. Major systems like Epic, Canvas, email, and SAP are functioning, however, we are still finding some affected systems. The workaround on servers is imperfect and will need additional work to fully correct once we have better information from the vendors.

Windows desktop machines and servers across campus may still require action from either you or an IT staff member to recover and function properly. IT leaders and staff from across Cornell are actively working together to resolve the issue and will provide further instructions this morning as recovery methods are developed and tested. All available technicians are being deployed to help users recover. NewYork-Presbyterian is also helping the Physician Organization sites recover within their space.

Web-based cloud services can be accessed through web browsers on mobile devices and tablets. Thus far, Macintosh/Apple laptops and desktops do not appear to be affected.

If your computer is in this blue screen mode, send a ticket to your local technical support provider. If you do not know who this is, contact the IT Service Desk. Your support provider can follow the instructions at Fix a Windows Computer That has a Blue Screen Error Due to CrowdStrike Update.

Updates will be posted regularly on the status pages:

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Best,

Curtis Cole
Vice President and Chief Global Information Officer

Ben Maddox
Chief Information Officer, Ithaca and Cornell Tech campuses

Vipin V. Kamath
Chief Information Officer, Weill Cornell Medicine