New Guidelines For Maritime Cyber Security

Cyber attacks on maritime freight may result in severe operational, safety and security failures as a consequence of information or systems being corrupted, lost or compromised.

The latest US guidelines for maritime cyber risk aim to measure the extent a technology asset could be threatened by a phishing mails and malware and all maritime operations should review the cyber security comprehension  of cyber security training shipping that employees receive.

A few months after a ransomware attack at a Maritime Transportation Security Act-regulated facility shut down operations for 30 hours, the US Coast Guard (USCG) has issued  new guidelines for confronting cyber risks at MTSA-regulated facilities.
“Cybersecurity, safety, and risk management are of utmost importance as computer systems and technology play an increasing role in systems and equipment throughout the maritime environment.” The USCG said it “worked closely with industry and other government agencies to provide guidance on complying with cybersecurity requirements”. 

The guidance intended to assist regulated facility owners and operators in updating compliance with the existing MTSA regulations and is intended to assist owners and operators in identifying computer systems and networks vulnerabilities which could cause or contribute to a breach of security and  the identification of Suspicious Activity. 

The statement noted that “it is up to each facility to determine how to identify, assess, and address the vulnerabilities of their computer systems and networks.”“Facility owners and operators do not have to identify specific technology or a business model, but should provide documentation on how they are addressing their facility-specific cybersecurity vulnerabilities.”

The USCG said in a Marine Safety Information Bulletin issued in December that Ryuk ransomware, which was the subject of a 2019 advisory from the British National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) may have entered the system of the unnamed facility through an email phishing campaign. The NCSC said in its original alert that Ryuk was first seen in August 2018 and was “responsible for multiple attacks globally” as a “persistent infection.”

Measures should include up-to-date antivirus software, real-time intrusion detection, monitored host and server logging, network segmentation to prevent IT systems from accessing operational technology, file and software backups, and up-to-date IT network diagrams. 

The bulletin warns that people in the maritime sector must take caution opening emails from unfamiliar senders and they should be trained to understand, adapt and work cyber securely. 

Doing what you can to secure your networks and taking the time to integrate cyber-security into your risk management and crisis communications procedure, are strategic things you can do to ensure you can respond effectively to maritime cyber-security threats and in doing so, protect your reputation as a secure service provider.

Most, importantly training employees on how to recognise cyber-attacks and implementing policies on computer hard-ware usage, particularly the use of USB memory sticks, are important steps that a company must consider.

MTINetwork:     Cyberscoop:     IMO:     Homeland SecurityToday: 

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