Barberton, Norton spared in global tech outage

By BOB MOREHEAD

BGNN senior staff writer

A worldwide web of digital disasters than stymied local governments, airlines and hospitals July 19 spared the Magic City and Norton, the mayors say.

At issue was a routine update in a widespread software application suite provided by CrowdStrike that didn’t go routinely. On installation, the update left billions of Windows-based computers with the Blue Screen of Death. The company worked overnight and delivered a patch, but not before patient appointments and airline fights got canceled.

“Some of our systems have been impacted by today’s events,” Summa Health Senior Vice President Elbridge Locklear told BGNN.
“Fortunately, we have robust policies and procedures in place for this type of situation and have been able to continue to provide patient care uninterrupted. Thank you to all of our staff and clinicians for continuing to provide high quality care to our community throughout this situation.”

“This company was something we looked at but ultimately opted for something else,” Norton Mayor Mike Zita told BGNN. “I guess we dodged a bullet.”

“No major issues in Barberton nor with the dispatch center,” Barberton Mayor William Judge said. But we’re keeping tabs on things constantly. A few minor hiccups but nothing major.”