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Mtsa News

24 Mar 2020

Ransomware: The IT Danger on the Horizon

© arrow/AdobeStock

Two decades into the 21st century, we’re seeing a growing and pernicious threat to global information security: ransomware. Even non-technical folk have loosely heard of it, but the broader implications haven’t yet penetrated the public consciousness. In different industries, that general lack of awareness could be a big problem—and the maritime sector is a good example.Ransomware hits at the confluence of two critical trends in modern technology: the ever-increasing integration of IT systems into daily life, and the interconnectedness of those IT systems.

17 Sep 2018

Maritime Ports Pushed to Up Cyber Security

© Bits and Splits/AdobeStock

Resilience planning, Info Sharing Take Spotlight“Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” That old chestnut gets turned on its head when it comes to port cyber security. It’s more like “Oh what a tangled web we’ve woven, so much harder to stop data stolen.”Ports today have the physical aspect of security pretty well nailed shut - gates, locks, fencing, alarms, cameras, drones, etc. As Chris Mason, Rajant Corp.’s director of sales for EMEA, notes, “Every…

23 Apr 2018

Cyber Incident Response for the Resilient Organization

(File photo: APM Terminals)

Even prior to NotPetya, regulatory bodies, insurers, P&I clubs, port authorities, and other segments of the maritime industry started taking steps to minimize the industry’s exposure to cyberattacks.The maritime industry has had an awakening. We have awoken to the fact that digitalization has woven its threads throughout the industry, and we have greatly benefited from being able to operate in an interconnected cyber environment. Likewise, being able to transmit shipboard machinery diagnostic information to shore-side operations centers…

23 Jan 2018

State of the US Passenger Vessel Industry

Rip Van Winkle, Hudson River Cruises, Kingston, N.Y.

PVA president Jeff Whitaker in December weighed in on his year as head of the nation’s passenger vessel advocacy group, where we are headed next, and what it will take to get there. The U.S. passenger vessel industry is looking forward to continued growth in the coming months. The past year was witness to solid economic conditions in the U.S., which added fuel to an already strong travel and tourism market, underpinning much of the U.S. passenger vessel industry. Ferry ridership continued to be strong with ferry systems in the Northeast…

06 Nov 2017

Cyber Shoal Waters

© beebright / Adobe Stock

Over the past two months the world has been rocked by three major hacking events that have garnered international notice. These included the EQIFAX event in which 140 million individuals were reported to be possibly compromised, the WannaCry attack and the NotPeyta event. In the past two years the emphasis on the cyber security of the Marine Transportation System, a vital economic cog to the world has come under increasing scrutiny. In August, trade journals and major international…

13 Sep 2017

USCG Releases Draft Cyber Guide for Maritime Facilities

James Espino (Photo: Gnostech)

Cyber risk has hit a critical peak within the maritime industry, and the significant impact of the Petya ransomware attack on scores of maritime entities only amplifies it. The attack effectively shut down major ocean carriers, including shipping conglomerate Maersk, and impacted marine terminal operations across the globe. Every maritime company, no matter the size or business function, is a potential target. The industry has seen a recent wave of guidelines and resolutions from maritime regulatory bodies related to maritime security and cyber risk mitigation.

23 Feb 2016

Maritime Cybersecurity: What Next?

The maritime community is no more immune from cyber threats than any other entity that relies on computers and the internet. The maritime industry, though, constitutes part of the world’s critical infrastructure. Thus, the consequences of a successful cyber-attack on a maritime entity could be far greater than a successful cyber-attack on, for instance, a bakery. Consequently, it is important that the maritime sector and its numerous constituents adopt reasonable measures to deter, detect, and recover from cyber-attacks. Currently, much of the world’s attention is focused on terrorism. Cyber-attacks by terrorists are a real threat and steps must be taken to counter them. More commonly, though, cyber-attacks are launched by criminals, nation-states, and corporate spies.

31 Dec 2015

Cyber at Sea: House-Passed Legislation Signals Focus on Maritime Cybersecurity

Recent developments in the United States suggest that cybersecurity of the maritime sector will come under increasing focus in 2016, says Hogan Lovells. On December 16, 2015, H.R. 3878, “Strengthening Cybersecurity Information Sharing and Coordination in Our Ports Act of 2015,” passed the House of Representatives. The Bill’s language echoes and expands upon recommendations made by the General Accountability Audit’s June 5, 2014 study Maritime Port Cybersecurity. It also reflects congressional focus on enabling cybersecurity information sharing as seen in the recent passage of the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act (CISA). (Indeed, but for the lack of a Senate companion bill, H.R. The importance of a secure maritime sector is well understood.

20 Jul 2015

Shore Leave: Re-think on Balancing Security, Seafarer Rights

(Photo: Alex Sergienko)

Before port states became hyper-sensitive to security issues, shore leave was natural part of a seafarer’s life. You worked long and hard hours at sea, often for extended periods of time on long voyages. When the ship reached port, you went ashore and decompressed, connecting with family and friends. That and much more changed after the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. The IMO adopted the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code mandating enhanced security onboard vessels subject to the SOLAS Convention.

08 Apr 2015

The $100m Port Security Grant Scramble

About $100 million will be available to various port authorities, facility operators and state and local government agencies who have developed an Area Maritime Security Plan as part of the 2015 FEMA port security grant program. Eligibility Criteria is established pursuant to the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, as amended (MTSA) wherein Department of Homeland Security (DHS) established a risk-based grant program to support maritime security risk management. This year funding is directed towards the implementation of AMSPs and Facility Security Plans (FSP) among port authorities, facility operators, and state and local government agencies that are required to provide port security services. The application submission deadline is May 19, 2015 at 11:59 PM EDT.

19 Feb 2015

Avoiding Pitfalls on the Water

When a land-based contractor decides to work on water, risk can arise from unexpected places. It doesn’t have to be that way. In the past, companies involved in the marine industry, whether they were vessel operators, riggers, longshoremen, ship builders, repairers, or construction companies were, by and large, specialized and most companies focused on one niche aspect of the industry. Fast forward to 2015 and it is clear that our industry has changed. Today, there are fewer companies in the market with each company often doing business in multiple areas of specialty.

30 Dec 2014

USCG Proposes New Rules for Maritime Facilities Access

Notice of proposed rulemaking by U.S. On Monday, the U.S. Federal Register published a notice of proposed rulemaking by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to implement section 811 of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 (Pub. L. 111-281) which would provide clear regulatory requirements for each facility owner or operator to provide seafarers associated with a vessel moored at the facility, and other individuals, access between the vessel and facility gate without unreasonable delay, and at no cost to the seafarer or other individual. Generally, transiting through a facility is the only way that a seafarer or other individual can egress to shore beyond the facility to access basic shoreside businesses and services…

12 Dec 2014

Winter Storm to Hit San Francisco Bay

A major winter storm is forecast for the San Francisco Bay this week. The storm is forecast to impact the entire Bay Area region, Monterey, and Lake Tahoe. Patchy fog, heavy rain, gale force winds (in excess of 34 knots) and increased wave action are expected Wednesday night, 10 December 2014 through Thursday 11 December 2014, with weather abating and showers expected on Friday 12 December 2014.... This MSIB clarifies USCG Captain of the Port expectations and provides recommended actions in preparation for heavy weather conditions forecast for the San Francisco COTP Zone. Industry partners should review the applicable portions of the San Francisco, San Pablo and Suisun Bay Harbor Safety Plan, implement heavy-weather plans and shall take due diligence to prepare for potential storm impacts.

08 May 2014

McRoberts Maritime Security Contracts Access Cruise

McRoberts Maritime Security announced that it has contracted Access Cruise, Inc., for strategic sales support to the cruise industry. "As the cruise industry moves to another phase in its evolution, Access Cruise Inc.'s principal, Shannon McKee, a cruise industry veteran with wide contacts, will serve as a partner to McRoberts as McRoberts seeks to redefine its offerings in response to shifting priorities yet maintain its commitment to quality and maximum value creation for its clients," said Meredith McRoberts, president of McRoberts Maritime Security. "The consistent quality that McRoberts delivers is an integral part of the overall delivery of the cruise guest experience," said Ms. McKee of Access Cruise, Inc.

06 Mar 2014

Offshore Insights from OMSA's Ben Billings

Ben Billings

Ben Billings serves as President & CEO of the Offshore Marine Service Association (OMSA), a nationwide trade association headquartered in New Orleans that represents more than 200 member companies. OMSA’s membership includes approximately 100 firms operating more than 1,200 vessels that provide transportation services to the offshore oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Mexico and around the world. It’s arguably a very good time to be at the helm of OMSA, with a resurgent U.S.

18 Oct 2013

TWIC’s Last Hurdle is Scaled

Card reader technology is tested, proven and in use, nationwide. While the maritime industry awaits the Fed’s edict on MTSA, the solution already exists. The Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) requires that individuals needing unescorted access to MTSA-regulated Facilities and Vessels must first obtain a TWIC. To obtain a TWIC Card, an individual must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass a security threat assessment conducted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Individuals are then issued a tamper-resistant credential containing the cardholders biometric fingerprint data, which provides a conclusive link between the card and the individual cardholder. To date, more than 2 million of these credentials have been issued.

28 Jun 2013

Smart Card Alliance Conveys TWIC Suggestions to USCG

Limiting the use of Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) smart cards and readers will create significant security vulnerabilities in our maritime infrastructure, the Smart Card Alliance Access Control Council said in comments submitted this week to the U.S. Coast Guard. The Smart Card Alliance’s comments referred to the Coast Guard’s Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Reader Requirements Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The rulemaking proposes limiting the use of tamper-resistant, biometrically-enabled TWIC smart cards and readers, and proposes relying on visual inspection of TWIC cards as the primary security protocol for 95% of the maritime user population.

14 Jun 2013

Why TWIC?

 Dennis L. Bryant,  Maritime Regulatroy  Consulting, Gainsville, Fla. t: 352-692-5493 e: dennis.l.bryant@gmail.com

GAO finds it is broken, and now the question is; can it be fixed? Recently, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a scathing report on the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) electronic reader pilot test and on the TWIC program in general. The GAO said that the test of the electronic readers that are intended to largely automate access of credentialed maritime workers into secure areas not only failed, but that test results were so badly gathered that it is impossible to determine exactly where the problems lie and what needs to be corrected.

21 Nov 2012

PVA Calls for TWIC Re-Evaluation

Passenger Vessel Association Marks 10th Anniversary of Maritime Security Law; Calls for Reevaluation of TWIC. On the tenth anniversary of the enactment of the landmark Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002 (MTSA) (Public Law 107-295), the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) takes note of the far-reaching security enhancements adopted by the U.S. flagged passenger vessel industry but also calls on Congress to re-evaluate the expensive and unsuccessful Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program.

19 Oct 2012

MARAD Steps Up

The U.S. The paradigm for global transportation security underwent a dramatic shift in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks. In the years that followed, industry and government worked together to add layers of security to mitigate risk while maintaining the flow of commerce. The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Maritime Administration (MARAD) has since developed security initiatives which ensure safety and efficiency in America’s Marine Transportation System (MTS) by focusing on three crucial improvement categories: transparency, accountability and resiliency.

22 May 2012

Maritime Security & The Useless TWIC

Port workers in Wilmington, Del. become the first workers in the nation to enroll in the Transportation Workers Identity Credential (TWIC) program. (Port of Wilmington Photo)

Experience has clearly shown that the concept that the issuance of high-tech biometric transportation security cards, called the Transportation Worker Identification Credential or TWIC, could achieve these goals was fatally flawed from the beginning. With visions of al Qaeda terrorists lurking on US waterfronts and in the bowls of U.S.-flag vessels, Congress in 2002 included in the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) a requirement that unescorted access to secure areas in U.S.

14 May 2012

Guantanamo Bay Coast Guard Team Mission Accomplished

During the deployment, Maritime Safety and Security Team (MSST) San Diego members formed the Joint Task Force Guantanamo Maritime Security Detachment and were responsible for securing the port and waterways around the base. MSST San Diego boat crews, specialized in armed boat tactics and threat interdiction, conducted more than 4,500 hours of continuous patrols during the deployment. The unit also provided shore-side security at Joint Task Force Guantanamo, which includes internal courtroom security for the expeditionary legal complex where military commissions for high value detainees are held. Prior to deploying, unit members completed two-months of training that included boat and weapon qualifications, team coordination training and CPR certification.

30 Jan 2012

DHS Issues Maritime Security Directive

Department of homeland Security and U.S. Coast Guard have issued Maritime Security Directive 104–6 (Rev 6); Guidelines for U.S. Vessels Operating in High Risk Waters. AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Notice of Availability. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the release of Maritime Security (MARSEC) Directive 104–6 (Rev 6). This Directive only applies to U.S.-flagged vessels subject to the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA) on international voyages through or in designated high risk waters…

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