15 Years Later: CRN Looks Back At 9/11

9/11: A Look Back

The crisp, clear New York morning 15 years ago was shattered by two passenger jets that were hijacked by al-Qaeda terrorists and crashed into the World Trade Center's Twin Towers. CRN's coverage of the attacks in a special issue looked at both the agonizing personal and financial toll the tragedy took on the solution provider industry and the country as a whole. Here is a look back at our coverage.

Complete Devastation

CRN chronicled the rising death toll from the attacks and published a list of those technology executives who were killed in the wake of the terrorist attacks. Among those who lost their lives: Akamai Technologies co-founder and CTO Daniel C. Lewin, who was aboard American Airlines Flight 11, the first hijacked jet to hit the World Trade Center. Lewin, 31, left a wife and two young sons.

Then-President Bush Addresses The Nation

"It was a week in which New York City mourned lost family and friends, prayed for missing co-workers and gave thanks for those who escaped the attack on the World Trade Center." Thus began CRN's coverage of the New York impact of 9/11. New York solution providers fought back anger and confusion as they focused on rebuilding from an attack that crippled their city.

The Pentagon Rubble

Washington, D.C.-area government solution providers expressed shock and anger as authorities sifted through the rubble of the Pentagon crash site after terrorists crashed American Airlines Flight 77 into the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. Two employees of Plano, Texas-based integrator EDS were injured in the Pentagon attack. And KPMG Consulting was called upon to help restore the Pentagon's IT infrastructure.

So Many People In Need

Distributors from around the country stepped up with both critical credit and ground freight trucking services to help get businesses back online in the wake of the terrorist attacks. Ingram Micro and Tech Data both extended credit lines for partners working to get customers back online. New York distributor Westcon contacted the New York City Mayor's Office to offer assistance to any agency or company that needed it.

Destruction At Home, Decisions To Make Overseas

U.S. technology companies moved quickly to evaluate security plans for their employees working overseas. Then-IBM Chairman Lou Gerstner issued a statement reiterating the company's focus on employee safety. He urged all employees, including those overseas, to "use their discretion as to how they conduct business" in the wake of the terrorist attacks.

Travel Restricted

New travel restrictions went into effect for many companies in the wake of the terrorist attacks. Compaq Computer Corp., which was in the midst of an historic deal to be acquired by Hewlett-Packard for $25 billion, issued a worldwide travel advisory with a "heightened approach to employee security and business travel."

The Sights At Home

Many industry events and meetings were postponed in the wake of the terrorist attacks. Sun Microsystems, which has since been acquired by Oracle, postponed its iPlanet Partner Conference and iForce Partner Summit scheduled for the week of Sept. 17 in Orlando, Fla.

The Economic Impact

CRN published an economic analysis that looked at the financial aftermath of the terrorist attacks, predicting prolonged economic uncertainty with cutbacks in business production, employment and capital spending. The analysis included a look at the financial aftermath from the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Towers In Flames, Many Step Up To Help

Many vendors stepped up with cash, along with IT equipment and services to help those affected by the tragedy. Among the donations: $5 million in cash and $5 million in software and services from software giant Microsoft; $6 million from Cisco to the New York recovery effort; and $1 million from Apple donated to rescue-workers' families.