Maritime Cyber
Security
Powered by CyberSmart Smart CyberSecurity. Since January 2021, IMO Resolution MSC.428(98) has required cyber risk management to be addressed within ships' Safety Management Systems. Maritime cyber compliance now also intersects with IACS UR E26 and E27 for new ships contracted for construction on or after 1 July 2024, and with the US Coast Guard's final rule “Cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System”, published on 17 January 2025 and effective from 16 July 2025.
Why Maritime Cyber Security Matters
Modern vessels rely on interconnected digital systems for navigation, communication, cargo management, and engine control. Operational Technology (OT) systems such as ECDIS, AIS, GPS receivers, GMDSS, and engine automation are increasingly networked—creating attack surfaces that didn't exist a decade ago. The convergence of IT and OT on board means a cyber incident can directly impact vessel safety and operations.
IMO's MSC-FAL.1/Circ.3/Rev.2 provides updated guidelines on maritime cyber risk management, recommending alignment with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework's five functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. The ISM Code now requires cyber risks to be incorporated into the SMS, verified at DOC audits by flag state or recognized organizations.
OT vs IT Systems at Risk
Chart display manipulation, position offset errors
Identity spoofing, position falsification
Signal spoofing, jamming, position errors
Distress system compromise, communication loss
Propulsion manipulation, safety system bypass
Loading computer errors, stability risks
Notable Maritime Cyber Incidents
These high-profile incidents demonstrate the real-world impact of cyber attacks on maritime operations and the critical importance of proactive cyber resilience.
Maersk – NotPetya
NotPetya ransomware shut down Maersk's global operations for two weeks, affecting 76 ports and causing an estimated $300M in losses.
IMO Website Attack
The International Maritime Organization's website and internal systems were taken offline by a sophisticated cyber attack targeting critical infrastructure.
DNV ShipManager
DNV's ShipManager software platform was hit by a ransomware attack, affecting fleet management operations for approximately 1,000 vessels worldwide.
Common Attack Vectors
Understanding the primary threat vectors targeting maritime systems is the first step toward building effective defences and training crew to recognize risks.
Phishing & Social Engineering
Targeted emails impersonating port authorities, charterers, or classification societies to harvest credentials or deploy malware.
USB & Removable Media
Infected USB drives introduced to shipboard systems during port calls, service engineer visits, or crew changes.
Ransomware
Encryption of critical shipboard or shore-based systems, demanding payment to restore operations and data access.
GPS Spoofing
Broadcast of false GPS signals to manipulate vessel position data, potentially causing navigation errors or enabling smuggling.
AIS Manipulation
Spoofing or jamming of AIS transponders to create ghost vessels, hide vessel movements, or cause confusion in traffic management.
NIST Cybersecurity Framework – Maritime Application
IMO guidelines recommend aligning maritime cyber risk management with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. We apply all five functions across vessel and shore operations.
Identify
Asset inventory, risk assessment, supply chain mapping for all IT and OT systems
Protect
Access controls, network segmentation, crew training, data security measures
Detect
Continuous monitoring, anomaly detection, intrusion detection systems
Respond
Incident response plans, communications protocols, impact mitigation
Recover
System restoration, backup procedures, lessons learned integration
Our Cyber Security Solutions
We provide end-to-end maritime cyber security services covering regulatory compliance, technical hardening, incident preparedness, and crew awareness training.
Cyber Risk Assessment & Gap Analysis (Smart CyberSecurity)
Comprehensive evaluation of your vessel and shore-based cyber posture against IMO, IACS, and NIST frameworks using Smart CyberSecurity to identify vulnerabilities and prioritize remediation.
- IT and OT system inventory & mapping
- Vulnerability scanning & penetration testing
- Risk register development & prioritization
- Compliance gap analysis against IMO MSC.428
IMO MSC.428 SMS Integration
Integration of cyber risk management into your Safety Management System as required by IMO resolution MSC.428(98), ensuring compliance at your next DOC audit.
- Cyber risk policy development
- SMS procedure updates for cyber threats
- Roles and responsibilities definition
- DOC audit preparation & support
IACS UR E26/E27 Implementation
Full support for newbuild and retrofit compliance with IACS Unified Requirements for ship-level and equipment-level cyber resilience.
- UR E26 ship-level resilience planning
- UR E27 equipment supplier assessment
- Cyber resilience verification support
- Classification society liaison & approval
OT/IT Network Security & Segmentation
Design and implementation of network architecture that properly segregates operational technology from IT systems, protecting critical navigation and engine controls.
- Network topology review & redesign
- IT/OT segmentation implementation
- Firewall and access control setup
- ECDIS, AIS & engine system hardening
Incident Response Planning & Drills (Smart CyberSecurity)
Development of maritime-specific cyber incident response plans with Smart CyberSecurity threat monitoring, regular tabletop exercises, and drills to ensure crew and shore staff readiness.
- Incident response plan development
- Communication & escalation protocols
- Tabletop exercises & scenario drills
- Post-incident review & lessons learned
Crew Cyber Awareness Training
Tailored training programs for seafarers and shore-based personnel covering maritime-specific cyber threats, safe practices, and incident reporting procedures.
- Phishing awareness & simulation
- Safe USB and device handling
- Password management & MFA adoption
- Incident recognition & reporting
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our Maritime Cyber Security services and compliance requirements.
Yes. IMO Resolution MSC.428(98) requires cyber risk management to be addressed in the Safety Management System no later than the first annual verification of the company’s Document of Compliance after 1 January 2021. IACS UR E26 and E27 apply to new ships contracted for construction on or after 1 July 2024. In the United States, the US Coast Guard’s final rule “Cybersecurity in the Marine Transportation System” was published on 17 January 2025 and became effective on 16 July 2025.
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Learn moreReady to Strengthen Your Cyber Resilience?
With IMO MSC.428 enforcement at every DOC audit and IACS UR E26/E27 now in effect for newbuilds, proactive cyber risk management protects your operations, crew, and compliance standing.