IT workers who have been working long hours to restore computer service from a global outage last week received a $10 gift card from CrowdStrike Holdings Inc., the cybersecurity company responsible for the disruption due to a flawed update.
In an email sent on Tuesday, Chief Business Officer Daniel Bernard acknowledged the additional work caused for cybersecurity and IT staff who assisted CrowdStrike’s clients in recovery efforts. “And for that, we send our heartfelt thanks and apologies for the inconvenience,” Bernard wrote in the email, reviewed by Bloomberg News. The message included a code for an Uber Eats credit, saying, “To express our gratitude, your next cup of coffee or late night snack is on us!”
CrowdStrike spokesperson Kirsten Speas confirmed that the credits were sent to “teammates and partners who have been helping customers through this situation” but clarified that they were not distributed to “customers or clients.” Speas did not specify who exactly received the gift cards or how many were distributed.
The gesture, initially reported by TechCrunch, received mixed reactions on social media, with some expressing scorn.
Reactions and Impact- Crowdstrike
- Internal Response: IT workers appreciated the acknowledgment but felt the gesture fell short of adequately compensating for the extensive work required to mitigate the issue.
- Social Media: The $10 gift card was met with skepticism, with some users pointing out that it seemed insufficient given the scale of the disruption and the effort involved in recovery.
- Company’s Position: CrowdStrike emphasized the intention behind the gesture was to show appreciation and offer a small token of thanks, though the company is aware that more substantial measures may be necessary to address the inconvenience caused.
Conclusion
CrowdStrike’s attempt to apologize and thank IT workers with a $10 gift card following a significant global outage highlights the challenges companies face in managing PR and maintaining goodwill after a major disruption. While the gesture was intended as a token of appreciation, the mixed reactions underscore the need for more meaningful compensation and communication in such situations.
