Communications Environment News

AI-powered Endpoint Security solution replaces SkyFile Antivirus with protection for onboard IT environments against cyber threatsMarlink unveiled the latest upgrade to its suite of cyber security tools, adding Endpoint Security to the CyberGuard portfolio. CyberGuard EDR (Endpoint Detection & Response) is optimized for the satellite communications environment, in particular by operating in a Master/Client architecture, which permits the regular, automated distribution of signature…

Kongsberg Maritime has completed the delivery and installation of a suite of new bridge simulators for Indonesia’s Ministry of Transportation. The new simulators at the Ministry of Transportation’s Maritime Training Centre, located at its headquarters in Jakarta, will be used for the assessment of Indonesian seafarers applying for seagoing certification, for local and international operations. KONGSBERG simulators will support the Ministry of Transportation to significantly reduce the time taken and the tools required to assess Indonesian seafarers. This is especially important in today’s context, as assessments for the certifications have become more stringent.

The Port of Pittsburgh Commission seeks local companies and individuals to participate in its Wireless Waterway (WW) Interoperability Test Bed (ITB) the week of June 15, 2014. The commission is accepting applications through April 1, 2014 from interested entrepreneurs, organizations and vendors to conduct demonstrations of technologies and products on the WWITB. In addition it seeks volunteers both to act as professional evaluators and to assist in the operations of the event. The commission established this test bed to help identify technologies which addressed critical river water challenges in the areas of river transportation, communications, environment, safety, sensor, communications, cyber-security, collaboration and interoperability.

Globe Wireless, a  provider of communications, operational and IT solutions to the maritime industry, has announced Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Skipsrederi AS has selected the Dual Globe iFusion system as the communication solution for both SKS Tankers Holding AS and KGJS Cement Holding AS. The Dual Globe iFusion  solution provides full featured redundancy and reliability for vessels. The dual terminal FleetBroadband configuration allows one Globe iFusion  terminal to act as the primary communication system with the secondary Globe iFusion  terminal acting as a backup.

Vizada, a provider of global satellite-based mobility services, and hardware manufacturer Thrane & Thrane have signed a partnership agreement to launch a new broadband offer to the maritime market. Via their shared distribution channels, the partnership will offer shipping companies a maritime mobile broadband package that combines Thrane & Thrane hardware with Vizada VSAT and MSS services and solutions. The maritime mobile broadband package includes Thrane & Thrane’s SAILOR 900 VSAT and SAILOR FleetBroadband terminals combined with Vizada’s Pharostar VSAT and FleetBroadband service and the recently launched Vizada XChange, a unified platform that provides a secure and controlled communications environment for voice and broadband data.

Furuno, provider of maritime communication and navigation systems, in partnership with SpeedCast Limited and Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL), announced the launch of their new VSAT antenna, the VSAT KU-100. In addition, Furuno, SpeedCast, and Eutelsat have also announced special promotional pricing to commemorate the launch. Furuno’s solution is based on their new 1 meter antenna, the Ku-Band VSAT KU-100, which is Furuno’s most advanced antenna system and brings land-based broadband communications environment to onboard vessels.

By Chief William J. Feller, NTTC Corry Station Public AffairsA revolution in Navy training is under way at Naval Technical Training Center (NTTC), Corry Station as the school reached a milestone in cryptologic training. Twelve new Fleet-ready cryptologic technicians graduates became the first Cryptologic Technician Maintenance/Operator (CTM/CTO) class to use the Network-Centric Common Core curriculum.In his recent address to the Naval War College’s annual Current Strategy Forum, the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Adm. Vern Clark, unveiled “Seapower 21” and introduced the term “FORCEnet,” which refers to Navy efforts to make the concept…

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta will address port authority leaders from across the Western Hemisphere on Tuesday, September 24, 2002, at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. Secretary Mineta will address delegates and guests at the 91st Annual Convention of the American Association of Port Authorities AAPA), from 12:45 to 2:15 p.m. on Tuesday's luncheon, in the Venetian Ballroom. "We're really pleased that the Secretary will join us to address some very important port issues," said Kurt J. Nagle, AAPA president. Secretary Mineta will likely talk about port security, the new Transportation Security Administration, reauthorization of the Transportation Efficiency Act of 2001 (TEA 21), and the need for SEA 21 legislation.

U.S. public port authorities discussed the need for Federal legislation and continued Federal funding for maritime security. They urged Congress to appropriate additional funds for Fiscal Year ’03 during their Legislative Policy Council (LPC) meeting on Monday, September 23, 2002. Port authorities are meeting this week at the 91st Annual Convention of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida. John A. Flaherty, Chief of Staff of the Department of Transportation, said during remarks at a luncheon today that ports have an historic opportunity to influence reauthorization of the Transportation Efficiency Act (TEA 21) next year, when the current legislation expires in September.