Maersk Affected by Ransomware Attack: WhiteArmor Demands $5 Million
Danish shipping giant, Maersk, has confirmed a data breach following unauthorized access to a local legacy system inherited from an earlier acquisition, according to Bleeping Computer.
The threat actor managed to extract data from the compromised system, however, the specific details of the breach, including the amount of data stolen, have not been disclosed. Maersk has initiated a thorough investigation to assess the full extent of the incident.
In a statement, Maersk stated, "We are working closely with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts to address the situation and prevent any further unauthorized access to our systems."
WhiteArmor Ransomware Involved
The ransomware strain linked to the breach is WhiteArmor, known for targeting critical infrastructure.
The attackers have demanded a ransom of $5 million to release the stolen data and restore system functionality.
Maersk's Response
Maersk has assured customers, partners, and stakeholders that their personal data is not believed to be affected by the incident. The company is working to restore the affected systems and is providing support to those affected.
"We are committed to ensuring that this incident does not impact our customers, partners, or the supply chain," said Thomas Østergaard, Maersk's Chief Information Security Officer.
Investigation Continues
The shipping giant has launched an internal investigation to determine the scope of the breach and is cooperating with law enforcement authorities.
"We are fully cooperating with law enforcement and cybersecurity experts to address the situation and prevent any further unauthorized access to our systems," said Maersk.
Ransomware Attack on Critical Infrastructure
WhiteArmor ransomware is known for targeting critical infrastructure, such as Maersk's IT systems, which manage the global transportation of goods.
"We are working closely with our partners in the cybersecurity community to address this incident and ensure the safety and security of our systems," said Østergaard.
Maersk is one of the world's largest shipping companies, operating in over 130 countries and employing over 100,000 people worldwide.
"We are committed to restoring our systems and restoring services to our customers," said Østergaard.
The incident highlights the increasing threat of ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure, as cybercriminals seek to exploit vulnerabilities in aging IT systems.
"We are working to mitigate the impact of this incident and ensuring the safety and security of our systems is our top priority," said Østergaard.
<small>Source: Bleeping Computer — read the original story there.</small>
