From early March 18, ship crews found themselves isolated, unable to communicate even in emergencies. Connections with global ports and logistical infrastructures were severed, causing widespread supply chain disruptions. Experts warn that restoring full operational capacity could take weeks.
Initial reports indicate that the attackers breached onboard satellite systems, executed destructive commands on critical servers, and wiped key data. Some digital infrastructure has reportedly been irreversibly damaged, with data storage centers forced offline.
The attack marks one of the most severe blows to Iran’s maritime sector in recent years, threatening not only shipping logistics but also the nation’s broader economic dependencies. Sanctioned entities, like the affected companies, are especially vulnerable due to limited access to international cybersecurity resources.
There are growing concerns about further attacks, particularly since some affected vessels were operating in international waters. The incident is fueling urgent discussions around improving maritime cybersecurity standards, especially encryption, communication redundancy, and satellite system isolation.
Lab Dookhtegan has stated that such operations are intended to disrupt Iran’s military and logistics networks, highlighting how cyberspace is becoming a critical domain in global power struggles.
Source: Red Hot Cyber
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