How Maritime Companies Can Ensure Cyber Security on Marine Vessels

1. How Maritime Companies Can Ensure Cyber Security on Marine Vessels With the increasing reliance on technology and maritime broadband services, the shipping sector has become vulnerable to cyber attacks. As maritime companies are moving to intelligence era, maritime cyber security becomes a business-critical aspect and no longer an optional element. But are the maritime companies ready to tackle the cyber threat challenge? The risk may be real, but it can be mitigated by investing in cyber preparedness. 1.Malware Defenses: Anti-virus and malware scanning software should be installed, maintained and updated on all work-related computers on-board in marine vessels. Malware defense systems reduce the risk of attacks on servers, broadband connection and other computers on the ship’s network. 2.Secured Network Design: Networks on ships, yachts or other marine vessels should be partitioned by secured firewalls. Each network zone should be partitioned by one firewall to ensure greater security of systems and data in the zone. Maritime companies can incorporate an Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) in the network design to identify malicious activity and then reporting the activity. 3.Technical Cyber Security Controls: You must set up controlled networks by using routers and switches to prevent any security risks from connected devices. Ensure protection of web browsers and email servers to ensure integrity of data. Protect web browsers and email server by encryption to prevent web hackers from executing malicious scripts. You can even take web filtering service to get a high level of protection against illegal content on the web. 4.Cyber Security Training and Awareness: Security is the number one priority on any vessel and for that crew need to be prepared. Providing training to the seafarers is vital to minimize cyber attacks on ship’s networks. Crew must be trained and need to be made aware of the risks imposed by uncontrolled networks on ship’s operations, integrity, confidentiality, and more. There are various accredited courses available for maritime security professionals. It is crucial that users of ship’s network are aware of the potential cyber security attacks, and must know how to identify and mitigate such risks. With the growing increase in sophistication and frequency of cyber threats in the marine industry, maritime cyber security is an area of vital interest to ship operators. These cyber security tips will help ship operators to remain ahead in building robust capabilities for the maritime industry to prevent cyber threats. Maritime companies must implement these cyber security measures and take reliable maritime broadband satellite communication services to mitigate cyber attacks.