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CMA: Cyber risks raised by ongoing ‘cyber war’

As Western intelligence agencies warn of counterattacks from Russian hacktivists, Ince’s Julian Clark is fearful maritime assets will be targeted.

Gary Howard, Middle East correspondent

March 31, 2022

2 Min Read
CMA22 Julian Clark Ince
Informa Markets

Speaking at CMA Shipping 2022, Ince Global Senior Partner Julian Clark voiced his concerns about current cyber risks in maritime and the industry's preparedness.

Both Homeland Security and MI6 have published reports over the last few days identifying the significant risk or 'tidal wave' of a counter attack from Russia and Russian hacktivists in relation to an unprecedented international move to the imposition of sanctions," said Clark. The intelligence agencies warned of a significant backlash from hacktivists attacking the West, and Clark had concerns that the maritime sector poses a great target.

"When you consider the the organization behind the NotPetya attack... was a Russian state activist and have publicly said that they will support Russia's agenda in Ukraine, whilst at the same time probably the largest hacktivist group in the world Anonymous have publicly said that they will support Ukraine, we have the situation of a cyber war going on," said Clark. The cyber war has turned out to be made up of sophisticated global operations, rather than the silent war fought in bedrooms many may have expected.

Clark worries that althought the industry has done a great job of protecting its IT infrastructure with specialist systems, air gaps and firewalls, our operational systems are generally less protected. 

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"In the same way that, in our houses, we have pressure mats, we have security cameras, we have double locks on our doors and windows, we have alarm sensors on our doors and our windows, but you know what? We don't alarm and protect our garage.

"So if I'm a burglar, I'm not going to come through the window or the front door, I'm coming in through the garage. And the garage in relation to Marine Operations is the operational technology systems. And we we are nowhere near where we should be in relation to protecting operational technology; that's the power systems, navigational systems, the loading systems, all the things that could be crucial, especially in relation to a container vessels," said Clark.

The maritime industry is generally unaware of the real risk of cyber incidents, Clark believes, as they can often only see the identified incidents. Comparing cyber risk to the ice that makes up an iceberg, Clark said that identified scenarios are the small amount of ice visible above the waterline, but hidden from view below the water is a much larger mass of ice, comprising unidentified incidents, failed attempts at cyber attacks and future risks.

About the Author

Gary Howard

Middle East correspondent

Gary Howard is the Middle East Correspondent for Seatrade Maritime News and has written for Seatrade Cruise, Seatrade Maritime Review and was News Editor at Lloyd’s List. Gary’s maritime career started after catching the shipping bug during a research assignment for the offshore industry. Working out of Seatrade's head office in the UK, he also produces and contributes to conference programmes for Seatrade events including CMA Shipping, Seatrade Maritime Logistics Middle East and Marintec. 

Gary’s favourite topics within the maritime industry are decarbonisation and wind-assisted propulsion; he particularly enjoys reporting from industry events.

Conferences & Webinars

Gary Howard regularly moderates at international maritime events. Below you’ll find a list of selected past conferences and webinars.

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