In an age when technology appears to rule everything, cybersecurity is of greater importance than ever for the marine industry. Technologies are required for the ship’s navigation and maintenance, which are essential for crew safety and the functioning of the ship. Digitalization in the Maritime industry has a significant role in cyber security too. As maritime technology advances, digital operational technology (OT) systems that physically operate the ship are being combined with information technology (IT) systems. As IT systems are subject to assault and can even have outside control, ships have to be more cautious by enhancing their systems to include more complex and advanced electronically controlled components. 

In this article, let’s delve into the real-life cyber risks the maritime industry faces.

How Essential is Cyber Security in the Maritime Industry?

Cybersecurity has the potential to have a significant impact on the safety of the crew, vessel, cargo, and even ports. They are concerned with blocking unauthorized access, manipulation of IT systems, onboard hardware and sensors, and leakage of data. Cybersecurity policies and plans address a variety of threats, such as information integrity and system and hardware availability on board and at the shipping company’s headquarters.

Various Incidents can Occur as a Result of:

Data transfer difficulties from the shipping firm to the vessel and vice versa: For example, an incorrect chart transfer from the shipping company to the vessel’s ECDIS can cause a delay in the journey or even the risk of resetting all charts previously stored on the ECDIS.

Onboard equipment and hardware issues: In the event of an interruption or even calamity, not every member of the crew knows what to do with every piece of operating equipment mounted on board. This can have significant consequences for vessel operations.

External sensor data loss or manipulation, which is crucial for ship operation: Not to mention the issues that could arise if vessel or shipping business systems are hacked by hackers.

These are only a few examples of what can go wrong with the ship’s and shipping company’s systems. With the advancement of information technologies in maritime logistics, such issues will become more common if preventative measures are not implemented.

Two Types of Cyber Attacks in the Maritime Industry

Untargeted attacks and targeted attacks are the types of cyber-attacks that usually happen in the Maritime Industry.

Untargeted attacks: They hunt for potential cyber weak spots in a huge number of organizations or ships.

Targeted Attacks: These are attacks that are explicitly aimed at an organization or ship and are more difficult to counter.

Both of these attacks could use techniques routinely used on the internet to find and exploit faults in a ship or a marine organization.

A Few Examples of How Cyber Attack Methods Occur:

Malware of All Kinds:

Malware is a broad word for malicious software that is designed to harm a computer system without the owner’s awareness. Malware comes in a variety of forms and names, including spyware, viruses, worms, and trojans. Malware is able to identify bugs and exploit flaws in your system. Malware is frequently obtained via links in emails and untrustworthy websites.

Phishing:

Phishing occurs when an online criminal sends a generic message to a wide group of people in the hope of evoking a response that would allow them to break into your system or steal sensitive data. They usually do this via email and request some sort of action, such as clicking a link or providing information.

Brute Force:

If your password is a basic one, criminals are able to use tools that attempt to methodically guess it to get access to your account.

Spear-phishing: 

Similar to phishing, this type of focused attack is directed at a single individual or business. It attempts to gather information by sending tailored email requests or supplying URLs that might harm your system, and it is often harder to detect than regular phishing.

Supply Chain Disruption:

Fraudsters will occasionally attempt to break into electronic systems before reaching a company or ship.

Impersonating

Criminals will occasionally impersonate staff or inspectors in order to get access to your ship’s or organization’s computer systems and steal private information.

Conclusion

One of the most difficult aspects of dealing with maritime cyber concerns is that maritime industry rules fail to keep up with the rapid pace of cybercrime and threats. This is because cyberattacks and crimes are always changing, and so even the maritime industry must stay aware of and ahead of these frauds. In fact, understanding cyber dangers and how to prevent them is of the utmost importance in the maritime sector.

The requisite level of cybersecurity might be practically impossible to provide, even for major IT organizations developing complex software and hardware solutions, Internet platforms, and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. Possible solutions include acquiring a dependable satellite communication solution provider as well as one that offers enough cyber security. Organizations such as IEC Telecom will be able to help you in this kind of situation.

Communicate with IEC Telecom as soon as possible if you are searching for a satellite provider. They offer the best satellite communication solutions and they even provide enhanced cyber security.