Maritime cyber risk weighs heavily, according to new report

More than two thirds of a survey group of almost 500 individuals carried out by DNV believe that their industrial assets are more vulnerable to cyber attack than ever before, and that cyber security is now the greatest risk faced by their companies.

Although more than 70% expressed these views, the survey also found that 61% believe that greater cyber risk should be accepted if digitalisation facilitates more innovation and the development of new technologies in shipping. The maritime’s sector willingness to accept more risk in notably higher than other critical infrastructure sectors including energy, manufacturing, and healthcare, the report said.

Global shipping’s entire supply chain is now subject to more digital technologies which yield significant benefits in terms of efficiency, safety, and sustainability. High-bandwidth satellite communications is one of the most dramatic development, enabling real-time digital communication between ship and shore an the automation of many previously manual functions.

Perhaps most importantly, a new era of ship-shore communications provides support for seafarers as they come to terms with more digital systems and new operational technologies in their working lives at sea. In personal terms too, their communication with families and friends has been transformed although, sadly, not universally or on every ship.

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But cyber developments increase the risk of attack. Most marine professionals believe that the industry is in control – more than eight in ten (83%) say their organisation has a good cyber-security posture, and seven in ten are confident that their organisations would resume normal business quickly after an attack.

Close to three quarters reveal that their organisations have increased their spending on cyber security this year compared to last. Backup systems are also being developed to prepare for instances of asset downtime, operational disruption, theft of data, physical injury, loss of life, or a grounding.

DNV Maritime CEO, Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, commented on the report. “In the maritime industry, we must match our ambitions for digital transformation and decarbonisation with a steadfast commitment to securing our people, the vessels and the systems we rely on. Cyber-attacks represent a growing threat to the safety of the maritime industry today. We can innovate, progress, and take a lead in ensuring the resilience of our businesses and societies, but only if we truly manage cyber risk.”