Major Australian ports shut after 'cyber security incident'

Major Australian ports are expected to remain closed for several days after a cyber attack on one of the country’s biggest port operators.

Australian Federal Police are investigating the hack on DP World, which manages container terminals in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle.

The incident is likely to disrupt the movement of goods for days.

Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil said the government was receiving regular briefings and was “working with DP World Australia to understand the impacts of the incident”.

“The Australian government is aware of a cyber incident affecting ports operator DP World Australia,” she said in a statement.

DP World has since launched an investigation and has restricted landside access to all ports.

“The company took immediate action, including disconnecting their internet connectivity, which stopped any ongoing unauthorised access to their network,” DP World Australia said in a statement.

Port Botany container Depot — A number of Australian ports are expected to remain closed for several days. (SMH / Louise Kennerley)

“This has also resulted in key systems, which underpin operations at their Australian ports, to not function normally. This was necessary to contain the incident and minimise the impact on their employees, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.

“DP World Australia is collaborating closely with government and private sector stakeholders to ensure that sensitive inbound freight can be prioritised and retrieved.

The company was working around the clock to restore normal operations safely, according to the statement.

National Cybersecurity Co-ordinator Air Marshal Darren Goldie, who co-chaired a National Co-ordination Mechanism meeting, said they would work with DP World Australia and its stakeholders.

“Our priority is to assist DP World Australia to resolve the incident, so they are in a position to restore access to the ports they operate across the country,” he said in a statement.

“The Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre is engaged with DP World Australia and is providing technical advice and assistance.

“The Australian Federal Police has commenced investigations into the incident.”

The National Co-ordination Mechanism will meet again today.