Rising Cyber Threats in the Maritime Industry and Mitigation Strategies

Cyber threats to the maritime industry are on the rise, with Marlink set to release a report later this year detailing the growing risks. From phishing scams to targeted attacks on command and control systems, Cedric Warde, Vice President of Global Sales – Digital at Marlink, discusses the threats and strategies to mitigate them. As ships become increasingly connected to shore for crew welfare and operational efficiency, the risks of cyber attacks compromising safety and cargo also increase.

Cyber risks are expanding across industries, with ships at sea being vulnerable to hacking due to their integration with IT systems. Cedric Warde emphasizes the growing threat of cyber attacks, especially amid geopolitical tensions impacting maritime operations. The integration of operational technology (OT) with IT systems on ships expands the attack surface, leaving critical onboard systems susceptible to cyber threats like GPS spoofing and hacks.

Marlink is preparing to release a Security Operations Centre (SOC) Report next month, offering insights into the maritime threat landscape. The company, which supports thousands of vessels worldwide, has a maritime security operation center monitoring vessels and managing firewalls and endpoints. With the increase in cyber alerts from phishing schemes to ransomware, Marlink emphasizes the importance of a multilayered cybersecurity approach and collaboration between IT and operational teams to ensure the safety of vessels and crew.

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