U.S. Investigates Suspected Cyber Attacks on Texas-Bound Tankers

U.S. Coast Guard-led teams, with FBI personnel on board, inspected two foreign-flagged tankers in late August after indications the vessels’ computer networks had been compromised. The ships were en route to the U.S. Gulf Coast when the suspected cyber activity reportedly occurred as they passed through the Strait of Gibraltar between Morocco and Spain. Authorities say one of the boarded vessels was carrying oil and the other was transporting liquefied natural gas. Teams examined the vessels’ operational and information-technology systems to confirm the integrity of critical systems and rule out ongoing threats prior to the ships’ arrival at U.S. ports. The Coast Guard has reported there were no known operational disruptions, vessel instability, threats to crew safety, or environmental impacts related to the incidents. Both the Coast Guard and the FBI have declined to identify the vessels or to name any suspects in the alleged cyber intrusions. U.S. officials speaking to the Wall Street Journal said the events have prompted concern that Iran or other adversaries could be attempting to interfere with traffic at a key maritime chokepoint or to affect U.S. port operations, potentially widening the Middle Eastern conflict. Relevant authorities have not publicly announced any attribution as their investigations continue.