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Hackers Breach Ship Networks: US Boards Vessels
17 Sep
Summary
- US authorities boarded two commercial vessels in the Gulf of Mexico.
- The boardings followed indications of cyber network compromises.
- One ship, VL Prosperity, reportedly suffered a major cyberattack.
In late August, US Coast Guard and FBI teams boarded two commercial vessels in the Gulf of Mexico due to suspected cyber intrusions. These actions, occurring on August 21 and August 24, were taken after agencies received indications that the computer networks of both foreign-flagged ships had been compromised.
The FBI confirmed a joint operation ensued after network compromise alerts. The Coast Guard, referencing the August 21 boarding, cited "foreign cyber actors" without identification. Maritime security group Dryad Global confirmed one vessel was the Liberian-flagged VL Prosperity, currently near Galveston, Texas.
Earlier reports from Iran's Mehr news agency detailed that the VL Prosperity experienced a significant cyberattack on August 20 while passing through the Strait of Gibraltar. The alleged attack disrupted communications for 30 hours and reportedly infiltrated engine room systems, compromising cooling flow, engine speed, and disabling fuel and engine oil tanks.
