Hackers hit 4 Marina web-based systems

MANILA, Philippines — Four web-based systems of the Maritime Industry Authority suffered data breaches following a cyberattack on Sunday, MARINA confirmed yesterday.

MARINA is the latest government agency to be affected by a data breach following cyberattacks on the Philippine National Police, Department of Science and Technology and Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

In a statement, MARINA said its web-based systems were “attacked and compromised” by still unknown hackers.

Affected by the data breach were the Authority to Accept Payment, Accomplishment Report Management System, Integrated Domestic Information System and the Seafarers Identity Document (SID)/Seafarer’s Record Book (SRB) Expedite Application System.

“The SID/SRB system is the platform that manning and shipping companies use to expedite the processing of the record books of seafarers or those who are joining their ships in the next two days,” Luisito delos Santos, spokesperson for MARINA and head of Planning and Policy Service, said.

Delos Santos clarified that the SID/SRB system remains operational for the submission and processing of applications.

“Seafarers can still pay for their application fees in accredited payment centers,” he said.

MARINA’s systems manage several information, including vessel registrations, seafarers’ information documents and record books.

Delos Santos said the Integrated Seafarers Management Online portal, which facilitates the processing of certificates of proficiency and competency of seafarers, was not affected.

MARINA officials and employees were ordered to report to the central office to “implement measures to ensure the protection of the integrity of the systems.”

On June 16, Information and Technology (IT) personnel of MARINA removed the UTP cable of the affected server to prevent possible access. The server was also shut down.

The agency’s IT team coordinated with the Department of Information and Communications Technology-Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center to probe the cyberattack.