Ransomware cyberattack fallout: Steamship Authority’s operations still disrupted
The ransomware cyberattack on the largest ferry service to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket on Wednesday was still disrupting its operations a day later, as officials kept investigating the hack.
The Steamship Authority urged people to bring cash for tickets while the online booking system remained down.
“The Steamship Authority is continuing to work with our team internally, as well as with local, state, and federal officials externally, to address Wednesday’s incident,” the Authority wrote on its website. “The ticketing processes, including online and phone reservations, will continue to be affected today, Thursday.”
“Scheduled trips to and from the islands continue to operate safely as scheduled, although some delays in the ticketing process may occur,” the lone statement on the Authority’s website reads. “At this point, customers remain unable to book or change reservations online or by phone, and the use of cash is recommended as there is limited access to credit card systems at some terminal and parking locations.”
There has been no impact to the safety of its vessel operations, as the cyberattack has not affected radar or GPS.
This cyberattack on a transportation service comes in the wake of an attack on the world’s largest meat producer, just weeks after a similar incident shut down a U.S. oil pipeline.
When the Herald asked the Steamship Authority for information on the hackers’ specific demands and whether the Authority will pay the ransom, a spokesman for the Authority responded, “We will not have anything to release regarding that today.”
The Authority on Wednesday had said they were unable to release or confirm specific details of what occurred with the cyberattack.
Meanwhile, New York transit officials this week confirmed that hackers had infiltrated computer systems for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The officials said the agency received an alert from the FBI and other federal agencies saying three of its 18 computer systems were put at risk.
The MTA insisted that it quickly shut down the attack. It said a follow-up forensic analysis also found that no sensitive information was stolen, and that rail service for millions of riders each day and other operations were never compromised or disrupted.
Rafail Portnoy, the MTA’s chief technology officer, said, “Importantly, the MTA’s existing multi-layered security systems worked as designed, preventing spread of the attack and we continue to strengthen these comprehensive systems and remain vigilant as cyberattacks are a growing global threat.”
Herald wire services were used in this report.
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3igoGEk
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