The Port of Seattle, one of the busiest ports in the U.S. and responsible for managing the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, experienced a cyberattack on Saturday. This incident forced the government agency to shut down its systems to mitigate the impact.
The Port's official account on X (formerly Twitter) announced on Saturday afternoon that the port experienced system outages, signaling a potential cyberattack. In response, critical systems were isolated, and efforts are ongoing to restore full service. However, there is no estimated timeline for when operations will return to normal.
As a result of the attack, the phone systems at the Port's Maritime Facilities were reported down on Saturday. Additionally, the websites for the Port and the airport, along with email and phone services for Port staff, were also affected.
As of Tuesday, the websites remain offline, and phone system outages persist. Attempts to contact the Port and airport, including the airport police department's non-emergency line, were unsuccessful.
Cybersecurity concerns are not new to U.S. ports. The Department of Homeland Security highlighted in November 2022 that cyberattacks are one of the most significant threats to U.S. ports. With over 900 ports in the country, many of which are vital to domestic energy infrastructure, cybersecurity is a critical concern. Ports are particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks due to the extensive outsourcing of their workforce.
A 2022 survey by Jones Walker LLP on Ports and Terminals Cybersecurity revealed that cybersecurity remains a top concern within the maritime industry. The survey showed a significant increase in reported cyberattacks, from 43% in 2018 to 74% in 2022, despite 90% of respondents claiming they were prepared to withstand such threats.
Additionally, a BBC article from July 2022 reported that cyberattacks on the Port of Los Angeles had doubled since the pandemic, with the port experiencing around 40 million monthly attacks.
