Download Now: Dutch Caribbean Ransomware Attacks — OT Actions for Utilities & Water
Analysis of the July 2025 ransomware wave impacting Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten. Focus: OT implications for utilities, water systems, and critical infrastructure.
Why this matters
This campaign highlights the regional ripple effect of ransomware operations. Beyond IT outages, utility operations faced risks from remote access exposures and IT–OT interdependencies. The August brief maps the threat landscape and translates it into concrete OT actions.
Attack timeline & impact
- July 13: N.V. ELMAR outage disrupts prepaid metering services in Aruba.
- July 20: Qilin ransomware group claims responsibility, posting stolen data.
- Regional effect: Similar campaigns observed across Curaçao and Sint Maarten public services.
Recommended OT hardening actions
- Audit remote access: Reduce VPN sprawl; validate vendor access points.
- Segment utilities networks: Apply IEC 62443 zones/conduits and monitor cross-zone flows.
- Validate backups: Test HMI/PLC recovery and ensure offline storage.
- Enhance detection: Tune OT IDS signatures for Caribbean-specific TTPs.
Who should read
- Utility executives responsible for resilience and service continuity.
- OT leaders managing SCADA and engineering systems with remote access.
- CISOs supporting convergence of IT and OT in critical infrastructure.