In a major cyberattack on international logistics firm DP World Australia, regular freight movement at multiple large Australian ports has been severely disrupted. DP World, with an annual revenue of over $10 billion, specializes in cargo logistics, port terminal operations, maritime services, and free trade zones.

Being responsible for operating 82 marine and inland terminals in 40 countries, DP World handles approximately 70 million containers carried annually by 70,000 vessels, accounting for about 10% of the global container traffic. The company holds a significant presence in Australia, overseeing 40% of the nation's container trade and operating logistics terminals in the ports of Bing Bong, Fremantle, Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne.

According to a media statement provided to BleepingComputer, the cyberattack occurred on Friday, November 10, resulting in disruptions to landside freight operations at DP World's Australian ports. An ongoing internal investigation is considering the nature of data access and potential theft, although this has not been confirmed yet.

The statement from DP World mentions the possibility of data access and exfiltration, prompting concerns of a potential ransomware attack that could involve data theft. However, the company has not issued any statements regarding threat actors stealing files from its network.

As of now, no known ransomware group has claimed responsibility for the attack on DP World. The investigation continues to trace the origin and extent of the cyberattack, focusing on data breaches and the possible theft of sensitive information.

The disruption caused by this cyberattack has significantly impacted the regular flow of freight at DP World's ports, resulting in potential delays and logistical challenges for businesses relying on the company's services. Authorities and industry experts are closely monitoring the situation and working to restore operations to normalcy as soon as possible.

DP World Australia is collaborating with cybersecurity experts and relevant authorities to mitigate the impact of the cyberattack and enhance the security measures to prevent any similar incidents in the future.