Safeguarding Maritime Operations A Proactive Approach to Maritime Cybersecurity

Abstract

In the contemporary era of extensive digital connectivity, the marine sector assumes a pivotal role as a vital nexus for facilitating worldwide trade and commercial activities. Nevertheless, the industry's rising dependence on digital technologies has rendered it vulnerable to an escalating menace: cyberattacks. The aforementioned attacks possess the capacity to provide severe repercussions that exceed the ramifications of natural calamities. This article explores the imperative necessity for adopting a proactive stance towards marine cybersecurity, with a specific focus on the vulnerabilities introduced by human-induced catastrophes, including cyber-attacks. Case studies, such as the well-known Maersk disaster and cyberattacks targeting Operational Technology (OT) systems in Iran, highlight the vulnerabilities present within key marine infrastructure. The introduction of security ratings, such as Common Criteria, is regarded as a beneficial mechanism for evaluating and improving cybersecurity measures. Additionally, this research suggests adding a deterrent phase to current cybersecurity methods in order to effectively deal with risks before they happen.