Maritime Cybersecurity in Focus

Maritime cybersecurity is more important than ever, as made clear during an international webinar chaired Wednesday by the United States, the Netherlands and Denmark.

The webinar was a continuation of the maritime cybersecurity event in the margins of the One Conference in The Hague in October 2019.

Andreas Nordseth, Director General of the Danish Maritime Authority, said, “The technological developments hold great potential for improving the maritime sector even more, and ensuring the necessary digital and green transformation.”

However, when new technologies and digital solutions are introduced, the risk increases that cyber attacks can take place on board ships and in ports.

Cyber attacks on the maritime industry’s operational technology (OT) systems have increased by 900% over the last three years with the number of reported incidents set to reach record volumes by year end, according to cybersecurity specialist Naval Dome.

In the past few weeks alone, container shipping company CMA CGM and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) have been hit by separate cyber attacks.  

“Denmark view cyber threats on the same level as any other maritime safety and security related risk. An important part of finding solutions to the cyber vulnerabilities is by engaging in international collaboration and exchanging knowledge with other strong maritime nations,” Nordseth said.

Besides maritime experts from the U.S., the Netherlands and Denmark, participants from Canada, the U.K., Australia, Singapore, Israel, Germany, France and Belgium joined the discussions at today’s webinar as the fight against cyber pirates continues.

The U.S., the Netherlands and Denmark, will continue the international cooperation on maritime cyber security matters in 2021, and seek to expand participation with even more likeminded maritime nations.