Page 30: of Marine News Magazine (November 2021)

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Column

Cyber Security

Maritime Cybersecurity:

Prepare, Detect and Respond

By Vanessa C. DiDomenico, Maritime Associate, Blank Rome

At a time when the world has become more aware than ever before about the vital strictions and operational hurdles encountered during the importance of the world’s ocean shipping ? eet, which car- pandemic. These global challenges resulted in a move by ried supplies, merchandise and much needed personal pro- the U.S. to bolster the federal government’s cybersecurity tective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic, an practices and contractually obligate private sector to align increased risk from a different threat, cyberattacks, pres- with such enhanced security practices. For instance, the ents a set of new challenges. ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline, which controls

According to Israeli cybersecurity specialist Naval nearly half the gasoline, jet fuel and diesel ? owing along

Dome, since February 2020, there has been a 400% in- the East Coast, prompted President Biden to sign Execu- crease in attempted hacks on the maritime realm, coincid- tive Order (EO) on “Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity ing with a period when the maritime industry turned to (14028)” on May 12, 2021. A comprehensive overview of greater use of technology and working from home due to President Biden’s EO can be found here. On August 25, the Coronavirus pandemic. Increased phishing attempts, 2021, the President also held a cybersecurity summit with malware and ransomware attacks can be attributed to the leading tech company and Wall Street banking executives changes in operations and procedures during the travel re- to discuss cybersecurity concerns. © pinkeyes / Adobe Stock 30 | MN November 2021