In an increasingly interconnected world, the maritime sector stands at the crossroads of global trade and transportation. And as technology permeates every aspect of this critical industry, the threat landscape expands, demanding robust cybersecurity measures.
As the maritime sector embraces digitalisation, it must also confront the escalating threats of the cyber world. It’s no longer a case of piracy on the high seas. From increasing connectivity to outdated systems and supply chain risks, the industry faces significant cybersecurity challenges.
The urgency to address these challenges is underscored by some alarming statistics:
Up to 37% of maritime companies have experienced a cybersecurity incident in the past year (as of 2020).
The International Maritime Bureau’s Piracy Reporting Centre reported an increase in cyber-attacks targeting the maritime industry, with incidents rising from 34 in 2019 to 47 in 2020. This represents a 38% increase in cyber-attacks against ships and maritime infrastructure.
Since 2020, there’s been an increase in ransomware attacks targeting the maritime industry. Criminal organisations such as Maze and Ryuk have specifically targeted maritime entities, causing disruptions and financial losses.
Up to 91% of senior maritime executives believe that the industry is not prepared to deal with cyber-attack.
Since 2021, vessel navigation systems, port operations, and supply chains have been vulnerable to cyber-attacks, which could lead to significant disruptions and economic losses.
By proactively embracing cybersecurity measures and leveraging technology to mitigate risks, the maritime sector can navigate the evolving threat landscape, ensuring the safety and integrity of the industry in the digital age.
It is imperative that stakeholders across the sector work together to build a robust cybersecurity ecosystem that safeguards against cyber threats, enabling the maritime industry to thrive securely in the years to come.
The Expanding Threat Landscape
The maritime industry’s digital transformation brings great benefits but also exposes it to a range of cyber threats.
With vessels, ports, and infrastructure embracing connectivity, hackers have found new avenues to exploit vulnerabilities and disrupt maritime operations. From cargo theft to navigational system manipulation, cybercriminals target weaknesses within the sector’s digital ecosystem, putting lives, economies, and the environment at risk.
Current cybersecurity issues
The maritime sector faces a myriad of cybersecurity challenges that demand immediate attention and remediation.
First and foremost, a lack of adequate and targeted awareness and preparedness pervades the industry. Organisations often overlook the importance of cybersecurity training and fail to prioritise security measures, leaving their operations susceptible to attacks.
Outdated legacy systems compound the problem. Many maritime entities still rely on antiquated technology that lacks essential security updates. These systems, often not designed with cybersecurity in mind, present lucrative opportunities for hackers to breach defences and compromise critical infrastructure.
Furthermore, the complex maritime supply chain introduces additional vulnerabilities. Weak cybersecurity practices among third-party vendors and partners can infiltrate the ecosystem, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorised access, and operational disruptions.
Lastly, the ‘Insider Threat’, whether through intentional acts or inadvertent mistakes, poses another significant challenge. Untrained staff, inadequate access controls, and insufficient monitoring mechanisms can pave the way for insider attacks, compromising sensitive information and jeopardising maritime operations. Furthermore, the insider threat is the most dangerous as staff inside the organisation will generally have greater and more privileged rights to systems, resulting it larger surface area of damage.
Remediation strategies
Addressing the cybersecurity challenges in the maritime sector requires a comprehensive approach. These are the remediation strategies and areas that industry stakeholders must prioritise. Every remediation strategy must be met with a Threat & Risk Assessment (not audit) to understand the real threat actor who is going to attempt to compromise the organisation, and answer the fundamental question, what do you have to lose?
1. Cultivating a cybersecurity culture
Promoting a strong cybersecurity culture across the maritime sector is paramount. Training programs and awareness initiatives should be implemented to educate all employees on secure practices, threat awareness, and the importance of incident reporting. By fostering a cybersecurity-conscious workforce, organisations can fortify their defence against potential attacks.
2. Conducting threat and risk assessments
Regular Risk Assessments are vital to identify vulnerabilities and prioritise remediation efforts. Organisations must evaluate systems, applications, network infrastructure, and supply chain partners for potential weaknesses. This proactive approach allows for targeted security measures to mitigate risks effectively.
3. Realistic and pragmatic security controls
When it comes to securing a maritime digital environment, implementing realistic and pragmatic security controls is essential. This involves selecting controls that are tailored to the specific threat landscape and risk profile identified through a threat and risk assessment. Realistic security controls are those that can be effectively implemented within the maritime context, considering the unique operational challenges and limitations of the industry. Pragmatic security controls, on the other hand, are practical and feasible to implement, considering factors such as cost, resource availability, and impact on operational efficiency.
4. Securing Industrial Control Systems (ICS)
Given the criticality of maritime infrastructure, securing Industrial Control Systems (ICS) is paramount. Implementing proper security controls, network segmentation, and access controls can safeguard against unauthorised access and potential disruptions to critical operations. Regular security audits should be conducted to ensure compliance and resilience.
5. Developing Incident Response Plans
Preparing for cyber incidents is crucial to minimise the impact. Organisations should establish robust Incident Response Plans, defining roles, responsibilities, and communication channels. Regular exercises and simulations help test the effectiveness of these plans, allowing for adjustments and improved response capabilities.
6. Encouraging collaboration and information sharing
The maritime sector’s cybersecurity challenges necessitate collective action. Encouraging collaboration and information sharing among industry stakeholders, port authorities, and organisations can enhance overall resilience. Sharing threat intelligence, best practices, and lessons learned all fosters a stronger security posture across the maritime ecosystem.
Organisations such as Tiller Technical are helping the maritime sector makes necessary changes both in software functionality and security. Products such as Helm, a trusted maritime operations platform, help the organisation to streamline their maritime operations into a single online application, with strong protection and practical integration with other platforms.
As the maritime sector embraces digitalisation, it must also confront escalating threats of the cyber world. From increasing connectivity to outdated systems and supply chain risks, the industry faces significant cybersecurity challenges.
By prioritising remediation strategies such as fostering a cybersecurity culture, conducting risk assessments, and strengthening network security, the maritime sector can navigate these challenges and protect its vital operations. Collaboration and information sharing will be crucial in establishing a resilient Maritime Cybersecurity Framework that ensures the safety and integrity of global trade and transportation on the high seas.