Microsoft outage exposes UK's over-reliance on one tech firm

channel4.com —

A Microsoft services outage caused major disruption across the UK and globally, forcing courts, schools, hospitals, and businesses to revert to telephones, paper files, and fax machines. The incident highlights concerns about the UK's critical national infrastructure resilience, with experts discussing whether over-reliance on specific software makes systems vulnerable to exploitation by actors like Russia and Iran. The discussion, featuring cybersecurity expert Dr Louise Marie Hurel, former NHS data lead Tom Bartlett, and crisis management expert Amanda Coleman, examines the broader implications of dependence on a single company for vital services.


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