In reaction to a cyber intrusion that has interrupted operations at important ports around the nation, Australian government agencies conducted crisis meetings on Sunday.
In order to stop “any ongoing unauthorised access” to its network, port operator DP World cut off internet service at ports in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Fremantle on Friday, according to a spokesperson.
According to DP World senior director Blake Tierney, the continued disruption hasn’t stopped containers from being removed off ships, but it has made it impossible for the trucks that are needed to transport them to enter or exit the terminals.
“The company is working around the clock to restore normal operations safely,” he added.
Australian Federal Police have said they are investigating the incident.
The “interruption is likely to continue for a number of days and will impact the movement of goods into and out of the country”, National Cyber Security Coordinator Darren Goldie said on X, formerly Twitter.
“DP World Australia has advised it has restricted access to its Australian port operations while it investigates the incident,” he added.
In order to oversee the government’s response, Goldie called a second meeting of the National Coordination Mechanism on Sunday. This time, participants were drawn from the government, maritime, and logistics sectors. Goldie had called emergency meetings on Saturday.
The National Emergency Management Agency of Australia was present in the discussions.
