In an age where electronics seemingly control everything, cybersecurity has never been more critical to the marine sector. We depend on electronics for everything from vessel navigation to maintenance, and their proper function is essential to protect crew and vessel safety.

As maritime technology advances, electronic OT — Operational Technology — systems that physically control the ship are being integrated with IT — Information Technology — systems. As vessels update their systems to more advanced, electronically controlled components, they’ll need to increase their vigilance because IT systems can be attacked and controlled by outside parties.

In an attempt to reduce cybersecurity threats, the United States Coast Guard has paired with the Transportation Security Administration to fight potential cyber risks in the shipping industry and prepare mariners with the knowledge to combat them.

In this article, we’ll discuss the types of cybersecurity threats and offer a few best practices to prepare crew members to guard against attacks and misuse. By understanding how and why cyber risks happen, mariners can reduce the chances they’ll occur.

 

Source: mitags