Port of Seattle systems offline due to suspected cyber attack
Port of Seattle Suffers Cyberattack, Disrupting Operations
The Port of Seattle, a key hub for maritime activities in the United States, has been hit by a significant cyberattack that disrupted internet and web services as of July 2025. The port is currently working to restore functionality following the incident.
Timeline of Events
The cyberattack was publicly reported on July 2025. This incident comes at a time when maritime cybersecurity concerns have been on the rise, with new U.S. Coast Guard cybersecurity regulations taking effect on July 16, 2025, in response to growing cyber threats at U.S. ports.
Impact on Operations
The attack caused disruptions to port internet and web-based services, potentially leading to delays and reduced operational capacity. However, specific details on cargo handling or throughput impact at Seattle have not been publicly disclosed.
This incident is part of a larger pattern of surveillance, sabotage, and ransomware threats to critical maritime infrastructure, affecting economic stability and national security. The maritime sector, including the Port of Seattle, is facing escalating attacks by state-sponsored and criminal actors, notably linked to foreign adversaries.
Recovery Efforts and Current Status
Ongoing efforts focus on restoring IT and OT systems with enhanced cybersecurity measures. The Port and federal agencies are increasingly adopting a zero trust security model to better protect against future intrusions.
The U.S. Coast Guard’s Final Rule on Cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System, effective July 16, 2025, mandates stricter cybersecurity practices at ports, including training and system updates.
While precise recovery timelines for the Port of Seattle are not publicly available, the incident has underscored the urgency for accelerated resilience building in port infrastructure nationwide.
In summary, the Port of Seattle cyberattack in mid-2025 disrupted digital services critically supporting port operations. It exemplifies the broader surge in sophisticated cyber threats targeting U.S. maritime infrastructure, prompting new regulatory compliance and calls for zero trust security implementations to secure port systems from ongoing and future cyber risks.
The Port of Seattle's cyberattack in 2025, as part of a rising trend in maritime cyber threats, disrupted internet and web-based services, impacting port operations and potentially causing delays and reduced capacity. Simultaneously, the U.S. Coast Guard has been strengthening cybersecurity regulations in response, with new rules implemented on July 16, 2025, emphasizing the necessity for zero trust security models and enhanced cybersecurity practices at ports nationwide to counteract ongoing and future cyber risks within the general-news context of crime-and-justice.
