Red Funnel

Red Funnel operates as a ferry operator that provides passenger and vehicle transport services, offering online and telephone booking facilities as well as timetable information for its sailings. Customers can also purchase tickets in person at the company’s terminals, which support the day‑to‑day operation of its maritime routes. The organisation’s core activity centres on moving people and their vehicles across water, facilitating travel and local commerce.

In September 2020 Red Funnel suffered a malicious cyberattack that compromised its IT systems, leading to the corruption of online and telephone booking services and the loss of timetable access. The disruption prompted the company to advise passengers to arrive early for sailings and to obtain tickets directly at terminal offices while restoration work proceeded. Red Funnel confirmed that there was no evidence of data theft or personal information leaks, specifically noting that customer payment card details were not stored within the affected systems. Efforts to restore service focused on reinstating basic online booking functionality while maintaining limited ticket sales through physical locations.

The company is headquartered in the United Kingdom, and its ferry operations constitute a key component of regional transport connectivity. By maintaining essential maritime links, Red Funnel supports the movement of goods and individuals between the mainland and the islands it serves. Its reliance on digital platforms for booking and information delivery underscores the importance of resilient IT infrastructure in modern transport operations.