OPERATIONS at DP World’s Australia terminals are resuming after its IT systems were shut down, crippling throughput at the terminals after a cyberattack on Friday.

Landside operations at the company’s four terminals were shut down on Friday after the company identified what it said was a “cybersecurity incident”.

The company said it commenced operations at 0900 AEDT today (13 November) following testing of key systems overnight.

DP World said it expects about 5000 containers will move out of the four Australian terminals today.

“The ongoing investigation and response to protect networks and systems may cause some necessary, temporary disruptions to their services in the coming days. This is a part of an investigation process and resuming normal logistical operations at this scale,” the company said.

“Importantly, the resumption of port operations does not mean that this incident has concluded. DP World Australia’s investigation and ongoing remediation work are likely to continue for some time.”

DCN understands DP World’s Sydney and Melbourne terminals will be dealing with imports only today (13 November). And, DP World’s Brisbane terminal is operating, prioritising delivery of imports that have been there for the longest and it is receiving exports in order of vessel arrival.

DCN also understands limited operations recommenced at DP World’s Fremantle terminal last night.

On Sunday DP World said it had made “significant strides” in addressing the incident. “Currently, DP World Australia teams are testing key systems crucial for the resumption of normal operations and regular freight movement,” the company said on Sunday afternoon.

Importance of maritime cybersecurity

The cyberattack at DP World has highlighted the importance of maritime cybersecurity, RMIT Centre for Cyber Security Research and Innovation director Professor Matthew Warren said.

“The government’s new approach to cyber security incident handling and the key role that Australia’s National Cyber Security Coordinator, will be key in dealing with a cyber incident of national significance such as this,” Mr Warren said.

“What it shows is the new energy that the government has with dealing with a national cyber incident.”

Mr Warren said Australia’s new cyber security strategy would be launched in the next few weeks and again this will reinforce a new approach to handling cyber security from a whole of nation perspective.

“It must introduce more regulatory controls to allow the government and industry to work together when there is a cyber incident of national significance,” he said.

“In the meantime, the government with DP World Australia will be handling the current cyber situation to resolve it as soon as possible.”