Wightlink

Wightlink is a United Kingdom based ferry operator that provides passenger and vehicle transport across the Solent, connecting the Isle of Wight with the mainland ports of Portsmouth, Southampton and Lymington. The company runs multiple routes carrying both tourists and residents as well as commercial freight. Its vessels are designed to accommodate cars, coaches, lorries and foot passengers, supporting the island’s economy and daily life. Wightlink emphasizes reliable scheduling and aims to minimize disruption to its services under normal operating conditions. The operator does not retain payment card information on its systems, a detail highlighted during a recent security incident. As a key link in the regional transport network, Wightlink plays an important role in facilitating travel and trade for the Isle of Wight.

In February 2022, Wightlink experienced a highly sophisticated cyber attack that affected certain back‑office IT systems while leaving ferry operations, booking systems and customer‑facing websites uninterrupted. The incident potentially exposed personal data of a limited number of customers and employees, though no payment card details were compromised because the company does not store such information. In response, Wightlink engaged third‑party cybersecurity experts to conduct a thorough investigation and notified the UK Information Commissioner’s Office and regional law enforcement agencies. The organization stated that its response team successfully contained the breach and maintained normal service throughout and after the event. This episode underscored Wightlink’s focus on operational resilience and its commitment to protecting stakeholder data.