Expired certificate leads to mobile network outage

[LittleInch]

It probably went under the radar in most other countries, and whilst not on a true "disaster" level, it appears that expired software certificates in the Ericsson equipment which powers the nodes in most of Europes mobile network magically expired early Thursday morning without anyone being aware.

That is until, at least in the UK, some 30 million subscribers (one major network) found themselves without mobile Data and in some cases voice and text services, for over 24 hours.

e.g.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/ericsson-expired-certificate-caused-o2-and-softbank-outages/

Given the sheer number of apps and systems we all use without even thinking about it that rely on a network connection, the fact that an expired software certificate can cause this level of outage looks pretty bad to me.

If anyone can provide a bit more information and how this could actually occur would be good to hear.

Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.

 

[byrdj]

the local news reported that 911 (emergency services) was out for unknown reason accross the southern US

 

[MintJulep]

And here we are worrying about espionage by China via Huawei equipment.

 

[miningman]

Well IMO, this is one more reason not to take global warming seriously at all. If the events in the UK are anything to go by , 99% of us are all dead in the event of terrorists disabling the networks at some point in the very near future. Society seems to have boxed itself into a corner from which there is no escape.

 

[hokie66]

Mint, are you discounting the possibility that this is mischievous Huawei activity?

 

[BUGGAR]

But, the companies that hold my subscription programs that I depend on for my livelihood wouldn't just shut down, would they?

 

[waross]

Just hope that you don't end up on the software equivalent of the No Fly List.
Imagine trying to get something like that undone!

Bill
--------------------
"Why not the best?"
Jimmy Carter

 

[RVAmeche]

miningman,

There's a difference between our current society's reliance on vulnerable networks...and damaging the environment we live in?

 

[MintJulep]

are you discounting the possibility that this is mischievous Huawei activity?

Incompetence is a lot easier to achieve than a conspiracy.

The results are about the same.