Denmark Identifies Maritime Cyber Threats

Further to Gard's insight “It is time to strengthen your onboard cyber security procedures” of 12 December 2018, the Danish Ministry of Industry, Business and Financial Affairs recently published its Cyber and Information Security Strategy for the Maritime Sector.

The strategy is part of the Danish government’s national strategy for cyber and information security and contains some interesting observations related to threats, risks and vulnerabilities in the Danish maritime sector.

"Whereas the Danish authorities concludes that the general cyber threat against its maritime sector is primarily directed against commercial businesses, it also emphasises that cyber threats are dynamic and can quickly change," said a press note from Gard.

Although the strategy’s primary focus is Denmark, it also addresses cyber attacks aimed at targets outside Denmark. Several Danish shipping companies have a global presence and Danish-flagged ships and their crew have substantial foreign operational and commercial activities.

The Danish strategy concludes that the general cyber threat against the maritime sector is directed towards commercial businesses and does not currently pose a direct threat to maritime operations.

The Danish Maritime Authority has established a dedicated Danish Maritime Cybersecurity Unit, which is to handle implementation of the strategy in practice.