The Ransomware attack hits the port of San Diego

Image: HECTOR MATA / getty

Ransomware is not going anywhere. As if we needed a reminder.

The port of San Diego confirmed today in a press release that he had been the victim of a cyberattack that had affected several major computer systems and left port officials scrambling to maintain some operations. daily. This is not good and, at the time of writing these lines, remains unresolved.

The harbor, established in 1962, is the fourth largest in California and is entrusted not only with the supervision of dispatches and departures, but also with the 34 miles of seafront. In short, it is not the organization you want to stop a cyberattack powered by ransomware.

According to a statement from the Port of San Diego CEO, Randa Coniglio, it's more or less what has happened.

"The Port of San Diego continues to investigate a serious cyber security incident that has disrupted the agency's computer systems, and the Port's investigation to date has determined that ransomware were involved in this attack, "reads the statement. "Port employees continue to have limited functionality that can have a temporary impact on service to the public, particularly in the areas of park licenses, public document applications and commercial services."

So, what exactly happened? We contacted the port officials to determine what type of ransomware had infected their systems. For example, was it the cyber attack that hit the port of Barcelona earlier this month? those who infected the port systems were demanding. Maybe a bitcoin ransom?

Port Information Officer, Tanya Castaneda, We answered our questions by letting us know that all this was still under investigation.

"Due to the ongoing investigation, we have to be very careful about what we publish and our statement is all that we can provide right now," wrote Castaneda by email.

Of course, it is possible that the infection is merely incidental and that the attackers only throw a large net at the potential victims. But we do not know.

Unfortunately, there are many things we do not know at the moment. And we are not alone in having unanswered questions. Even the port is still trying to find out exactly how he's doing.

"The team is determining the extent and timing of the incident and the amount of damage to IT resources, and developing a recovery plan," continued Coniglio's statement. .

We hope to have more details soon – Castaneda wrote that an update should arrive later – but in the meantime we can all rest knowing that at least one of the ports of our country is vulnerable to ransomware. update.