A ransomware attack shut down servers hosting software used to manage the crewing and maintenance schedules of about 1,000 vessels across the globe.
Norwegian classification society DNV, maker of ShipManager software, says it took the servers offline after detecting a cyber incident on Jan. 7.
Onboard software functionally continues to operate, says DNV, which also sets standards for the construction and operation of ships.
“There are no indications that any other software or data by DNV is affected. The server outage does not impact any other DNV services,” the company says. It has contacted Norwegian police.
DNV says more than 7,000 vessels owned by 300 customers use ShipManager.
The attack comes amid mounting concern over the susceptibility of the global supply chain to cyberattacks following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine and worries about the ripple effects of the war for the world economy. DNV is not attributing the source of its ransomware attack. Most ransomware hackers are avowedly apolitical, lest they complicate extortion payments by causing firms to fret that they’re violating U.S. financial sanctions.
