CrowdStrike has publicly responded to Delta Air Lines’ threat of litigation regarding the global IT outage in July caused by a faulty CrowdStrike software update.
The cybersecurity firm has rejected Delta’s claims that they are to blame for the airline’s extended flight disruptions and financial losses.
In a letter from their external lawyer, CrowdStrike reiterated their apology to Delta but also expressed disappointment in the airline’s accusations of negligence and misconduct. They emphasized that they took responsibility for their actions and offered immediate assistance to Delta, including a personal outreach from CEO George Kurtz to Delta’s CEO Ed Bastian. However, this offer was reportedly declined by Delta.
CrowdStrike further argued that Delta’s public threat of litigation has created a misleading narrative that solely blames the cybersecurity firm for the airline’s IT decisions and response to the outage. They pointed out that other airlines recovered from the incident much faster than Delta, suggesting that the airline’s own internal systems and response strategies may have played a significant role in the prolonged disruptions.
While CrowdStrike acknowledged their role in the initial software update issue, they asserted that Delta’s response, or lack thereof, to their offers of help and the subsequent blame-shifting through litigation threats, is not constructive. They even challenged Delta to explain their actions to the public and shareholders if they choose to pursue legal action.
The situation remains tense as Delta continues to assess the financial impact of the outage and explores legal options. However, CrowdStrike’s strong response highlights the complexities of assigning blame in such incidents and the potential for a protracted legal battle if Delta decides to move forward with litigation.