World’s First Cybersecurity Training Platform Launched in Singapore

Singapore has launched the Maritime Testbed of Shipboard Operational Technology (MariOT), a cutting-edge cyber-physical training platform aimed at strengthening shipboard cybersecurity and training the next generation of maritime professionals. Developed in collaboration with the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI), and industry partners, MariOT simulates real-world maritime cybersecurity threats to prepare professionals for the evolving digital landscape.

The MariOT facility, located at SUTD, features high-fidelity simulations of critical shipboard systems such as navigation, propulsion, and power management. These simulations provide maritime professionals and trainees with hands-on experience in responding to realistic cyber incidents, bridging the gap between theoretical learning and actual maritime operations. By replicating real-time cyberattack scenarios, MariOT offers a powerful tool for training, technology testing, and developing robust cybersecurity protocols.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) plans to integrate MariOT training modules into maritime-related courses at Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) to benefit students with immersive simulations and structured internships in maritime cybersecurity. The initiative is expected to benefit over 300 maritime professionals and students in the next three years, including ship crew, cybersecurity experts, and port operators. The facility provides a collaborative environment for engineers, IT specialists, and maritime personnel to share knowledge and refine best practices.

To mark the commissioning of the MariOT facility, SUTD and MPA will host the inaugural MariOT cybersecurity exercise in March 2025. This exercise will test participants’ ability to detect and respond to cyberattacks targeting shipboard operational technology systems. The event will be observed by senior officials from international port authorities, including members of key global partners like iTrust, the Maritime Cybersecurity Centre at the Estonian Maritime Academy, and the School of IT at Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech).

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