Delta gets serious and sues CrowdStrike – Source: www.csoonline.com

The dispute between Delta Airlines and CrowdStrike is entering the hot phase: The airline sued the cybersecurity company CrowdStrike in Fulton County Superior Court in the US state of Georgia on October 25, according to media reports.

The airline has been threatening to sue since September, after the failure of CrowdStrike’s Falcon security tool on July 19 disrupted the travel plans of 1.3 million Delta customers on 7,000 flights and cost the airline more than $500 million, according to the airline.

Millions of people affected in various industries

In addition to the large number of flight cancellations worldwide, the software failure also affected banks, healthcare facilities, media companies and hotel chains around the globe.

According to reports, the airline described the software provider’s faulty update as “catastrophic” in its filing and accused CrowdStrike of providing “untested and faulty updates.”

More than half a billion in damages

Delta is therefore demanding damages of over $500 million as well as compensation for lost profits, lawyers’ fees, and reputational harm.

CrowdStrike responded to Delta’s lawsuit with its own statement to various media. The cybersecurity company said the allegations were based on misinformation and a lack of understanding of cybersecurity on the part of the airline.

The software provider said it was an attempt by the airline to distract from its own failures in modernizing its IT infrastructure. In addition, the defendant asks why the plaintiff performs worse compared to other airlines.

In addition, CrowdStrike claimed to have minimal responsibility — which Delta rejects. The allegations surrounding the trial are preceded by an exchange of blows between the companies in August, in which both sides accused each other of mistakes in dealing with the breakdown.