A significant cyberattack has impacted shipping companies across Europe, commencing on Thursday afternoon. The attack, believed to be a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) incident, has led to the widespread unavailability of numerous websites. IT teams are currently hard at work, actively addressing and resolving the situation.
Johanna Boijer-Svahnström, the Senior Vice President of Viking Line, discussed the extensive cyberattack that occurred on Thursday. In a statement to HBL, she emphasized that the cyber assault had a notable impact on major shipping companies operating throughout Europe.
"It appears to be a DDOS cyber attack targeting shipping companies across Europe. Our webpages are currently inaccessible, and our IT department is actively working to resolve the issue," Johanna conveyed to HBL.
The Cyber Express reached out to the company to verify the security incident and gather additional information following the cyberattack. Regrettably, at the time of preparing this report, no confirmation has been received from Viking Line.
According to media reports, the Viking Line cyberattack appears to have been a DDoS attack stemming from an overload on the company's website. This cyber assault had a widespread impact, affecting nearly all major shipping companies in the region.
About Viking Line
Viking Line, established in 1959, is a prominent shipping company specializing in cruise, cargo, and passenger services primarily within the Baltic Sea region. The company maintains a fleet of more than 50 vessels offering services in all three categories, with a current workforce of over 2,000 employees.
A recent report citing research conducted by the law firm HFW suggests that the shipping industry is considered an "easy target" for cybercriminals. The same report indicates a notable increase in ransomware attacks, with ransom demands rising by an astounding 350% over the past year.
"Our findings reveal that despite improvements in maritime cybersecurity, the industry remains vulnerable. Shipping organizations are facing a surge in cyberattacks, along with a substantial increase in ransom payment demands. As technology continues to play a larger role across all aspects of shipping, encompassing ship networks, offshore installations, and onshore control centers, the potential for cybersecurity breaches also escalates," reported Heavylift PFI, quoting Tom Walters, a partner at Hollman Fenwick Willan, a global law firm.
Incidents like the Viking Line Cyberattack underscore the critical importance of robust cybersecurity measures within the shipping industry. It serves as a reminder that a proactive approach to cybersecurity across various sectors is imperative to prevent escalating challenges.
