Australia Deems Ports Operator Cyber Incident ‘Serious’: Latest News

Broken Ethernet cable is seen in front of binary code and words “cyber security” in this illustration taken March 8, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/file photo
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The Australian government described a “serious and ongoing” cybersecurity incident at ports operated by DP World Australia that began on Friday.

DP World Australia, which handles nearly half of the country’s imports and exports, is investigating potential data breaches and testing systems necessary to resume normal operations.

The breach has led to a halt in container terminal operations in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Fremantle, Western Australia since Friday.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil commented that the cyber incident at DP World is “serious and ongoing.”

A spokesperson for DP World did not respond to inquiries about when normal operations would resume.

The Australian Federal Police is investigating the situation, though they declined to provide any further details.

National Cyber Security Coordinator Darren Goldie stated that the “interruption” is likely to last for several days and will impact the movement of goods in and out of the country.

DP World, which operates in 18 locations across the Asia-Pacific region, employs over 7,000 individuals at its ports and terminals.

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