An extensive outage is impacting computers at VCU and VCU Health, including CHS classrooms, computer labs and servers.
Early on Friday, July 19, a software update from cybersecurity company Crowdstrike disrupted IT systems globally, including computers at VCU and VCU Health. The issue prevents users from signing into impacted computers.
Crowdstrike has developed a solution for overcoming the issue but it requires IT personnel to update each computer individually.
For CHS faculty and staff who have been impacted by the global Crowdstrike issue:
If you have an affected Windows laptop, please plan to bring it by the HASTECH office (817 W Franklin St, Suite 210) or the FixIT/RamTech shop inside the Barnes & Noble store (1111 W Broad St, please use Shafer St entrance) at your earliest convenience during normal business hours. Please be prepared for the process to take anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour, depending on the number of additional updates required during restart, and that there may be a bit of a queue depending on when you stop by. If you are planning to bring it to the HASTECH office, you are welcome to drop the system off and we will notify you once the fix has been applied.
For Windows desktops, podium systems and/or computer labs, we will schedule a time for a tech to stop by your location to manually apply the fix. Please note that we are prioritizing the podium systems for classrooms that are currently being used to teach over the summer.
Please don't hesitate to reach out should you have additional questions regarding this process. Thanks again for your patience and understanding as we all work through this challenging situation.
Additional updates regarding this issue will be available via the VCU Alert page and the VCU IT Status page.
Scam Warning
Please be advised that there are active scammers taking advantage of the Global Crowdstrike Outage calling and trying to "help" in remediating the issue for user's Windows computers. Please be advised that these are scammers trying to gain access to machines. Please do not allow anyone that you do not know access to your device. Reach out to the IT Support Center with any questions or concerns at (804) 829-2227.