Azure Cloud Service Back Online After Red Sea Cable Cuts Disrupt Middle East Operations

Microsoft's Azure Cloud Service Restored After Undersea Cable Cuts in Red Sea Microsoft's Azure cloud platform returned to normal service on Saturday evening after an incident of cut underwater cables in the Red Sea disrupted its operations throughout the Middle East. The tech giant reported "undersea fiber cuts" in the Red Sea on Saturday morning, which led to potential "increased latency" for users. According to Microsoft, the latency issue was resolved by rerouting Azure traffic through other paths. "We were able to quickly identify and mitigate the issue, ensuring minimal disruption to our customers," said a company spokesperson. The spokesperson added that Microsoft will continue to monitor its network and make adjustments as needed to minimize customer impact. The cut cables in the Red Sea sit on the ocean floor and play a crucial role in delivering massive amounts of data across the world. While ships dropping anchors can sometimes damage undersea cables, there have been more intentional circumstances in the past. In 2024, the internationally recognized government of Yemen claimed that the country's Houthi movement was responsible for cutting cables in the Red Sea. Undersea cable cuts are a growing concern for tech companies and internet users worldwide. These cables can take time to repair, and their disruption can have significant consequences for businesses and individuals relying on cloud services. "The incident highlights the importance of having robust and redundant infrastructure in place," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a cybersecurity expert at the University of California. Microsoft's Azure service is used by millions of users worldwide, including businesses, governments, and individuals. The company's ability to quickly restore service demonstrates its commitment to providing reliable cloud services. As the demand for cloud computing continues to grow, companies like Microsoft will need to invest in robust infrastructure and disaster recovery plans to minimize the impact of outages. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of investing in secure and resilient undersea cable infrastructure. "This is a wake-up call for governments and tech companies to prioritize investment in undersea cables and ensure their security," said Dr. Rodriguez. Microsoft has not provided a reason for why the undersea cables were cut, but the company will continue to monitor its network and make adjustments as needed to minimize customer impact. As the world becomes increasingly reliant on cloud services, incidents like this highlight the need for robust infrastructure and disaster recovery plans. Background: Undersea fiber optic cables are used to transmit massive amounts of data across the world. These cables are vulnerable to damage from ships dropping anchors or intentional cuts. The Red Sea is a critical route for undersea cables, with many countries relying on these cables for their internet connectivity. Additional Perspectives: Dr. Rodriguez noted that undersea cable cuts can have significant consequences for businesses and individuals relying on cloud services. "The incident highlights the importance of having robust and redundant infrastructure in place," she said. Current Status and Next Developments: Microsoft's Azure service has returned to normal, but the company will continue to monitor its network and make adjustments as needed to minimize customer impact. As the demand for cloud computing continues to grow, companies like Microsoft will need to invest in robust infrastructure and disaster recovery plans to minimize the impact of outages. *Reporting by Engadget.*