Cyber Incident Victim: Havenbedrijf Den Helder
Date:
Nov 2023
Location:
Netherlands
Summary
A pro-Russian cyberattack disrupted the websites of Arriva and the Port of Den Helder, causing outages. The incident followed a visit by a Dutch minister to Ukraine, suggesting a retaliatory motive. The attack targeted critical infrastructure, temporarily impairing online services for transportation and maritime operations.
| CIA Posture | Motives | Tactics, Techniques & Procedures |
|---|---|---|
| Available to members | 1 motive | 1 technique |
| Threat Actor | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 actor | Available to members | Available to members |
Description
On November 3, 2023, a pro-Russian cyberattack disrupted the websites of Arriva, a regional transportation provider, and the Port of Den Helder, a critical Dutch naval infrastructure facility. The attack coincided with Dutch Defense Minister Kajsa Ollongren's visit to Ukraine, suggesting a retaliatory motive linked to the Netherlands' support for Ukraine amid Russia's invasion. Both organizations experienced website outages, rendering their public-facing digital services inaccessible. The incident occurred without prior public warning, though the attackers' specific methods remained unspecified in available reporting. No data breaches or physical infrastructure compromises were confirmed at this stage.
The coordinated attack caused operational disruptions to the Port of Den Helder's online services, though core port operations appeared unaffected. Arriva's website outage temporarily hindered passenger access to schedules and service information. Neither entity disclosed technical details about attack vectors, restoration timelines, or definitive attribution beyond the pro-Russian characterization. The incident highlighted geopolitical tensions influencing cyber targeting of European critical infrastructure entities aligned with Ukrainian interests. No ransomware demands, data leaks, or follow-on attacks were reported in immediate aftermath disclosures.