Maritime Cyber Risk Is Acute; News Report

Cybersecurity tops the list of industry risks, but maritime professionals believe companies are better prepared and investing more in cybersecurity.

More than two-thirds of a survey panel of nearly 500 people conducted by DNV believe their industrial assets are more vulnerable to cyberattacks than ever before, and cybersecurity is now their company’s biggest risk.

While more than 70% expressed these views, the survey also found that 61% believe that greater cyber risk should be accepted if digitalization promotes greater innovation and the development of new technologies in the shipping industry. The report shows that the maritime industry is more willing to accept more risk than other critical infrastructure industries such as energy, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Digital technologies are now influencing the entire global shipping supply chain, producing significant benefits in efficiency, safety, and sustainability. One of the most exciting developments is high-bandwidth satellite communications, which enable real-time digital communications between ship and shore and automate many previously manual functions.

Perhaps most importantly, the new era of ship-to-shore communications supports seafarers as they become more familiar with digital systems and new operating technologies while working at sea. On a personal level, your communication with family and friends has also changed, although unfortunately not universally or on all ships.

However, cyber advances increase the risk of attack. Most maritime professionals believe the industry is in control: more than 8:10 (83%) say their organization is in a good position regarding cybersecurity, and seven in ten are confident their organization would quickly resume normal activities after an attack.

Of these, nearly three-quarters revealed that their organization has increased its cybersecurity spending this year compared to last year. Backup systems are also being developed to respond to asset failure, operational disruption, data theft, personal injury, loss of life, or downtime.

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV Maritime, commented on the report. “In the maritime industry, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting our people, ships, and the systems we rely on to achieve our digital transformation and decarbonization goals. Cyberattacks pose a growing threat to the safety of the maritime industry today. “We can innovate, advance, and take proactive actions to ensure the resilience of our businesses and communities, but only if we truly manage cyber risk. ”