On the morning of 5 July, a container terminal in Japan’s largest maritime port, Port of Nagoya in Aichi Prefecture, suffered a ransomware attack, causing a delay in cargo shipments. The attack is alleged to have been perpetrated by Russia-based ransomware group Lockbit 3.0.
As more ports turn digital and away from paper documentation, hackers are causing an increased threat to shipping networks. Authorities in Japan say that ransomware attacks are on the rise. (Whereas cyber extortion focuses on stealing data, ransomware works to lock down critical business systems.) In 2022, due to a cyberattack on one of Toyota’s suppliers in Aichi Prefecture, the company was forced to halt operations at 14 factories.
Toyota Motor Corp. said the 5 July attack in Nagoya won’t affect the shipment of new cars, but imported and exported parts were unable be loaded or unloaded at the port until the problem was resolved on 7 July.