Dive Brief:
- The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) released a statement Wednesday granting Maersk's request to delay filing when the shipping line experienced complications following the massive Petya cyberattack three weeks ago.
- The cyberattack severely debilitated Maersk's IT systems, resulting in delayed and lost shipments. Maersk is just one of many global companies to struggle with the effects of the attack.
- The FMC said the filing exemption is unlikely to cause more complications to Maersk's operations; however, the commission only gave Maersk a 30-day extension to file, instructing that Maersk complete all amendments the FMC added to the petition within 20 days of Maersk's filing of the petition.
Dive Insight:
The FMC's timeliness — answering Maersk's petition within a week — and favorable response demonstrates that some regulatory bodies understand the debilitating effects of cyberattacks, and that large entities such as Maersk are no exception. As the commission's response shows, it doesn't matter how big a company is, it is still vulnerable to cyberattacks if security and IT systems aren't up to date, and cyberattacks can cause major operational delays.
Because the FMC's job is to make sure the shipping industry runs smoothly and fairly, it makes sense that the commission would grant Maersk an exception to make sure the company can properly perform its offered goods and services. As the FMC stated in its report, allowing Maersk more time to fulfill its contractual obligations will "adequately protect affected shippers and their rights." Sometimes, delays are necessary to allow companies to return to full operation.
The potential problem is that if large, established companies don't routinely update their cybersecurity and IT systems, then a cyberattack could cause major disruptions within other industries and perhaps cause even more damage than what Petya has done to the shipping industry. While it seems the FMC understands Maersk's plight, companies should keep in mind that the commission may not always be so lenient, especially if attacks like Petya become more commonplace.
