How is Crowdstrike impacting Tompkins County services? What you need to know

This article was edited to include additional information from Tompkins County officials.

A global tech outage affecting banks airlines and media companies worldwide hit Tompkins County on Friday morning.

The Australian broke the news that the outage appeared to be due to an issue at cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike.

Albany International Airport posted on X Friday, saying airlines that operate out of the airport were experiencing computer issues related to the outage.

"Passengers may experience delays due to the airline computer issue," the post read.

In Western New York, Erie County’s 911 services are still operational but the state system needed for Department of Motor Vehicle or Department of Social Services appointments in Erie County are “inoperable,” said County Executive Mark Poloncarz on X Friday.

“We will not be able to help you until the state system is back online,” he added. “Please do not come to any office for these services until we advise the system is back online.”

How is Crowdstrike impacting Tompkins County operations?

A Friday statement from Crowdstrike said that "The issue has been identified, isolated and a fix has been deployed," but like in Erie County, the Tompkins County Department of Motor Vehicles and Department of Social Services are still unable to process data online.

Despite a fix being deployed, the Tompkins County Department of Motor Vehicles is closed to the public this morning, with further updates expected on the Department’s Facebook page and https://www.tompkinscountyny.gov/dmv .

"Due to the widespread cyber-security outage last night, many city departments are unable to complete electronic payments or processes," city officals stated in a Tompkins SIREN alert Friday morning. "Offices with disrupted service include the City Clerk, Chamberlain’s Office, and the Building Division. Cass Park, GIAC, and Youth Bureau programs are still operating, but Community Pass may not be available for transactions."

"City Hall is still open to the public, but city staff access to computer systems will be slow to recover, so your patience is appreciated as we bring things back online," they said.

The Tompkins County Department of Social Services is meeting clients in the lobby and is unable to process online applications and paperwork due to the outage.

County officials said that clients can expect to receive more information at the Human Services Building. Clients can use the DSS website or call (607) 274-5680 to schedule an appointment.

Not an attack

New York’s chief cyber officer Colin Ahern said Friday that the state was aware of an issue affecting “Windows computers running a third-party security software tool,” and that this was “not a security incident or cyberattack.”

The state is working with all parties, including local governments, to get impacted systems back online, he said.

“Our priority is to ensure all 911 systems across New York are operational and able to address emergency response needs,” Ahern said.

The state does not yet have a timeline for full restoration, he added, but Gov. Kathy Hochul was “closely monitoring impacts to critical infrastructure, including finance and transportation.”

This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: How is Crowdstrike impacting Tompkins County services? What you need to know