In the wake of a massive cybersecurity blunder, CrowdStrike is attempting to make amends with affected partners by offering a $10 Uber Eats gift card. This gesture of goodwill comes after a disastrous update last week crippled millions of Windows devices globally, leading to significant disruptions in various sectors.
On Tuesday, several partners received an email from CrowdStrike extending this apology, recognizing the added strain caused by the July 19 incident. “To express our gratitude, your next cup of coffee or late night snack is on us!” the email stated, according to sources who shared screenshots. The offer, valued at approximately £7.75 or $10, was sent from a CrowdStrike email address under the name of Daniel Bernard, the company’s chief business officer.
However, the apology has been marred by further issues. Recipients attempting to redeem the gift card reported errors, with some receiving messages indicating the vouchers had been canceled.
CrowdStrike’s troubles began last Friday when a faulty update rendered about 8.5 million Windows devices inoperable, famously displaying the “blue screen of death.” The resulting outage caused significant delays at major airports, halted surgeries at hospitals, and disrupted numerous businesses worldwide.
In response, CrowdStrike has been working diligently to address the issue. The company’s CEO, George Kurtz, and Chief Security Officer, Shawn Henry, have both issued public apologies. Kurtz emphasized the company's commitment to transparency and rebuilding trust, while Henry expressed deep regret over the incident, describing it as the most challenging period of his 40-year career.
The company’s update on Wednesday revealed that a bug in the validation process allowed problematic code to pass through, triggering the widespread disruption. As CrowdStrike continues to investigate and rectify the situation, it remains to be seen if these efforts will restore confidence among its partners and customers.
