The incident of a Russia-based hacking group known as Lockbit 3.0 led to a temporary shutdown of operations as authorities scrambled to mitigate broader delays in the shipment of goods. Ransomware, a form of malware that locks users out of files or systems until a ransom is paid, has become increasingly concerning for shipping networks amid growing automation trends in Asian ports.
Expert assessments reveal that remote access vulnerabilities, particularly in VPNs and desktop protocols, are frequent targets for ransomware attackers, constituting around 80% of such breaches in Japan. Mihoko Matsubara, a chief cybersecurity strategist at NTT, emphasized the importance of companies regularly updating and patching software to protect against these threats.