Royal Mail restarts international deliveries for first time since cyber attack

Royal Mail has resumed international deliveries for the first time following a cyber attack that crippled the postal service’s computer systems.

The company said it had finally begun sending letters and parcels abroad again, albeit in limited volumes, after a full week of paralysis.

Critical systems at Royal Mail’s international business were compromised on January 10 when hackers affiliated with the criminal group Lockbit launched a cyber attack, disabling a digital service used to document mail going abroad.

But on Wednesday, the company said it was trialling “workarounds” to send some parcels to France, Germany and the Netherlands, while letters that did not require customs declarations were being despatched as well.

A spokesman added that Royal Mail is focusing on clearing a backlog of mail that has built up since the disruption began, after at least half a million items became stuck in limbo last week.

Customers are being told they can now post international letters that do not require customs declarations again but the company still advises against posting new international parcels for the time being. 

It comes just a day after boss Simon Thompson was unable to tell MPs when normal services would resume during an appearance in front of a parliamentary committee. 

Last week The Telegraph revealed Russia-linked Lockbit gang members had successfully hacked label machines at Royal Mail facilities, causing them to print ransom notes reading: “Your data are stolen and encrypted.”

On Wednesday a Royal Mail spokesman said: “Following the recent cyber incident, we are trialling operational workarounds and have started moving limited volumes of export parcels. 

“While we trial these operational workarounds, we continue to ask customers not to submit any new export parcels into the network. 

“Our initial focus will be to clear mail that has already been processed and is waiting to be despatched.”

Following the cyber attack, Royal Mail called in police and experts from the National Cyber Security Centre, part of spy agency GCHQ, to help deal with the fallout. 

Domestic post and incoming international mail remain unaffected by the problems. 

A spokesman added: “Royal Mail continues to work with external experts, the security authorities and regulators to mitigate the impact of this cyber incident, with a focus on restoring all services for export letters and parcels.

“We would like to sincerely apologise to impacted customers for any disruption this incident may be causing. Please be assured our teams are working around the clock to fully resolve this situation.”