Safeguarding Maritime Operations in a Digital Age

In 2020, the maritime industry faced a stark reminder of its vulnerability to cyber threats when all four of the world’s largest shipping companies were hit by cyber attacks within a span of just a few years. As widely reported, the French shipping giant CMA CGM had to take down its worldwide shipping container booking system after a ransomware attack crippled its Chinese branches. This incident followed similar attacks on APM-Maersk, Mediterranean Shipping Company, and COSCO, highlighting a disturbing trend: the maritime industry is a prime target for cybercriminals.

As digital transformation gains momentum in the maritime industry, cyber security is a critical focus for vessels and ports. Today, malicious actors exploit system vulnerabilities, and the consequences can be catastrophic—from interrupting cargo operations to compromising navigation systems. For CISOs and Fleet & Port Cyber Security Officers, annual cyber security assessments offer a clear, structured method to gauge and bolster the cyber resilience of maritime operations.

The benefits of annual cyber security assessments for the maritime sector

The rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape demands consistent oversight. Unlike traditional safety drills, cyber security is dynamic; new vulnerabilities emerge daily, and adversaries adapt their tactics just as swiftly. 

Through annual assessments, vessels and facilities can identify and mitigate security weaknesses, update protocols and security measures, and align with the latest regulatory requirements, such as those outlined in the U.S. Coast Guard’s proposed cyber security regulations under the Maritime Transportation Security Act. These regulations advocate for minimum cyber security standards, encompassing access controls, network segmentation, and incident response—integral components that annual assessments can effectively evaluate.

A somewhat baseline level of requirements most international maritime cyber security regulators looks for is outlined in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register (NPRM).

1. What are your cyber security plans?
2. How are you managing accounts and device security?
3. What’s your data security strategy?
4. What training and drills do you conduct?
5. How are you using Penetration Testing?
6. How are you managing potential cyber risks from your supply chain?

Additional benefits assessments offer vessels and ports: 

• Proactive risk management: An annual assessment enables maritime entities to uncover and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. This proactive approach can prevent potential transportation security incidents (TSIs) as described by the U.S. Coast Guard, ensuring operational continuity and safety.
• Common vulnerabilities: When conducting penetration tests on ports or ships, some of the most common vulnerabilities uncovered are inadequate phishing training and preparation, malware infections, weak authentication mechanisms, unpatched software, lack of network segmentation, and insufficient monitoring and logging.
• Regulatory compliance: Staying compliant with evolving regulations, such as those proposed by the U.S. Coast Guard, demonstrates due diligence in safeguarding critical infrastructure. These assessments align with MTSA, IMO, and Society requirements, which emphasize risk-based cyber security planning for regulated vessels and facilities.
• Enhanced incident response: Cyber security assessments help teams prepare for worst-case scenarios by testing incident response protocols. This not only improves response times but also minimizes the potential impact of cyber incidents on operations, reputation, and safety.
• Stakeholder confidence: Regular, documented cyber security assessments strengthen relationships with stakeholders, demonstrating a commitment to transparency, security, and the long-term viability of operations. They also provide a way to show progress to senior executives and board members.

Why partner with an independent and/or external assessor?

An independent cyber security assessment brings a fresh perspective, offering unbiased insights that internal teams might overlook. Independent assessors, versed in the latest maritime cyber security standards, provide a critical, in-depth review of technical and operational controls. By engaging a third party, maritime companies ensure that their security posture is not only robust but also up to date with best practices across the industry.

Companies like NCC Group serve thousands of clients globally and have a distinct advantage when it comes to spotting dangerous cyber threats and trends with a client base spanning all sectors and geographies. Very few internal teams can pragmatically interpret or manage the threat landscape like we can.