The Indian Institute of Management Visakhapatnam recently hosted the fifth national workshop of Ocean Centres India, focusing on enhancing safety in India’s ocean economy. Key speakers, including Dr. Ravi Raj Atrey and Capt. V Pardhasaradhi, emphasized the importance of maritime cybersecurity and sustainable practices, fostering dialogue among policymakers and industry leaders.
C3iHub at IIT Kanpur recently conducted a two-day training program on ‘Maritime Cybersecurity’ for officials from the Indian Ports Association. Held at the IIT-K Noida Extension Centre, the program aimed to enhance cybersecurity skills, covering topics like compliance, threat profiling, and digital forensics, addressing evolving digital threats in the maritime sector.
The 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report by Verizon reveals that 85% of cybersecurity breaches are due to human factors, highlighting the urgent need for specialized cyber training in the maritime sector. Research from GTMaritime shows alarming rates of user vulnerability, with 15% clicking on phishing links, underscoring the critical need for proactive training.
Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting the maritime sector, as revealed in Marlink’s recent SOC report. In the latter half of 2024, nearly 2,000 vessels experienced 9 billion security events. The rise of generative AI tools has amplified malware creation and phishing efforts, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures in the industry.
A recent report by DNV reveals that 61% of maritime professionals are willing to accept higher cyber risks for technological progress. The industry’s reliance on digital technologies like AI and autonomous operations brings both opportunities and vulnerabilities. 71% of professionals worry about increased vulnerability to cyber-attacks. Prioritizing cybersecurity is crucial for industry resilience.
