A major Australian port operator, DP World Australia, has resumed operations following a cyber-attack that temporarily halted its activities.
The attack disrupted services at their container terminals in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth from Friday to Monday morning. DP World Australia, responsible for managing about 40% of the country’s imports and exports, reconnected to the internet after successful system tests.
Despite the cyber-attack, there was no significant impact on the supply chain to major supermarkets, including Woolworths, which reported no immediate disruptions. The resumption of port activities on Monday began the process of addressing the cyber-attack, although DP World Australia continues to investigate and reinforce its systems against future attacks.
In addition to the cyber incident, DP World has been dealing with industrial action since October, leading to delays in customer deliveries. The Maritime Union of Australia's ongoing pay negotiations have resulted in strikes and work stoppages, further complicating operations.
Australia has experienced an increase in cyber-attacks since late 2022, prompting the government to announce an overhaul of cybersecurity laws and the establishment of a new agency to manage cyber threats. The government plans to introduce stricter reporting requirements for companies to better handle such incidents.